Archive for category: News Updates

Your chance to get involved in the Victims’ Hub project

PCC John Campion is creating a new Victims’ Hub for West Mercia. A place for those affected by crime to access timely support that is right for them.

To ensure it meets everyone’s needs, West Mercia Police want your input.

What will you be doing… You will help shape the Hub’s name, look, and messaging, making it welcoming and accessible.

Who are they looking for… Individuals with diverse ages, backgrounds, and experiences of various crimes; those who have struggled to access support as well as those who had positive experiences.

Why get involved… Help others feel supported and understood; influence how future victims are served and be part of a meaningful initiative.

What to expect… You will take part in a small workshop or one-on-one conversation (in-person or online) with supportive facilitators in a safe and respectful environment.

Interested? Email   by Friday 25th April.

Your experience matters. Let’s work together to make the Victims’ Hub a place where everyone feels supported and heard.

 News of Church and Other Events from the Three Villages 

Church Service

St Michael’s, Stoke Prior

March 30th       5.00 pm      Mothering Sunday     Informal Service   No team service (Contrary to announcement in February Community Link)

April 6th           10.30 am              Holy Communion (for ALL three Churches)

April 9th             9.30 am              Easter Service for Stoke Prior First School

April 13th         10.30 am       PALM SUNDAY    Twenty is Plenty    A short (20 minutes) service for younger people with songs and fun stuff

April 19th         10.00am – 12.00pm   Coffee Morning  organised by Heritage Friends

April  20th       10.30 am       EASTER SUNDAY   Holy Communion for all 3 churches at UPTON WARREN

No Evening Service at Stoke Prior

April 27th                                        No Service

May 4th           10.30 am                Holy Communion

May 7th             1.00 pm                Wedding

May 10th          10.00am – 12.00pm  Coffee Morning organised by Heritage Friends

May 11th          10.30 am               Twenty is Plenty followed at 11.15 am by Baptism

May 18th           5.00 pm               Evensong

May 25th                           No Service

May 31st            1.00pm                Wedding

St Michael’s, Upton Warren

April 12th        10.00am – 12.00pm    Coffee and Cake

April 20th       10.30 am     EASTER SUNDAY   Holy Communion and Easter Praise  ( Note later time) This is a service for parishioners from ALL THREE CHURCHES. All are welcome.

May 10th        10.00am – 12.00pm     Coffee Morning

May 18th          9.00 am                Iona Prayer Service

3.00pm                  Music Afternoon  (See details below)

St Mary de Wyche, Wychbold

April 7th            1.45 pm                  Easter Service for Wychbold First School

District Church Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 6th May at St Michael’s  Church,  Stoke Prior. Everyone is welcome to attend this meeting however only those  on the Electoral Roll will be eligible to vote for the various ‘’officers.’

Electoral Roll

Every 6 years the Electoral Roll has to be completely renewed rather than simply updated. This is to inform you that 2025 is the year  for a new Electoral Roll. Notices of this new Electoral Roll have already been posted on notice boards at each of our 3 churches. Forms will be available in each Church from Monday 1st  April.

These forms need to be completed and returned by April 20th (Easter Sunday) Completed forms should be returned to Stoke Prior Church or Michelle Bovey (lay chair).

Music Afternoon 18th May

Swing into Spring! Sunday 18th May at 3pm in St Michael’s Church Upton Warren

Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of Jazz and Swing Classics performed by the Enigma Brass Ensemble

Tickets £15 including an afternoon cream tea – Free admission for children under 12.

Tickets available from Lyn 07895 378884 or Claire 07739 459546 or at Upton Warren Coffee and Cake Mornings

VE Day 80th Anniversary – 8th May

British Legion will be laying a wreath on the war memorial at Stoke Prior Church and organising an event for this day.

Christian Aid Week

Christian Aid Week is May 11th to May 17th. Christian Aid is an organisation, founded after world War II to help those suffering from disasters and poverty throughout the world. Further information will be found at https://www.christianaid.org.uk

 

QR CODE FRAUDS from WEST MERCIA POLICE – ECONOMIC CRIME UNIT

QR Codes have been around for several decades now, but have become more prominent in the last few years. So once again criminals are seizing the opportunity to use malicious QR Codes to steal money, and personal information.

The majority of QR code scams reported so far have been in open spaces such as station and car park machines, so always check the QR code sign to see if appears to have been tampered with, or has another label stuck on top of it.

However, QR codes are now appearing in greater numbers in phishing emails, often now called “Quishing”. Criminals realise that the public are now more aware of the dangers on clicking on links in unsolicited emails, so are using QR codes instead to direct the recipient to a malicious website.

Whilst most of these QR codes are genuine, it is always worth just taking a few minutes to carry out the following checks.

How can you avoid being scammed by fake QR codes?

• Preview the QR code link. The URL should appear on your phone when you scan a QR code. Make sure the URL seems legitimate and that it isn’t a misspelling of a real URL.
• Check for tampering. If you’re scanning a QR code that’s in a public place, like a restaurant or a car park ticket machine, make sure the QR code doesn’t have a sticker on top of the original. If in doubt, try paying by a different method where possible.
• Check the website. If you follow the QR code link, does the website seems professional. Low-quality images and typos are always signs of fake websites. Look for a padlock symbol next to the URL or https:// in the URL to show theses are genuine.
• When in doubt, contact the company. If you receive an unusual email or letter in the mail from a business with a QR code, contact the business to determine if the message is legitimate.
• Never scan or open QR codes from unknown sources. Whether you’re approached online or in the street, don’t scan QR codes from people that you don’t know. And always lookout for “too good to be true” messages, such as gifts or free products if you scan their QR code.
• If using a downloaded App to scan QR codes, make sure you obtain it from a trusted source such as Apple or Google Play Store. However most modern phones now have a built-in scanner anyway.

A further use of QR codes to defraud victims by criminals is known as “BRUSHING”. Typically, this is used to create false consumer reviews by sending out unsolicited “gifts” to multiple recipients, then using those names and addresses to create favourable consumer reviews in their name unknowingly.

A twist to this type of fraud however is to include a QR Code inside the package which claims to let you know who sent the “gift”.

NEVER, scan this QR code as it can potentially download all the personal and financial information on your phone including any bank account details if you have Banking Apps on your phone.

As ever, be vigilant, especially with QR codes received in emails.

If you’ve fallen for fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Fake Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to 

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.

 

Given a boost by the excellent weather on the day, a band of volunteers worked with the orchard experts to plant 23 new trees on Thursday 20th March.  We now have around 50 fruit trees in the Wychbold Park orchard, including apple, pear and plum.