There is a spate of funny phone calls lately. One being you have won a 'free' holiday in Florida. Remember nothing in this life is free, except maybe the air you breath!!  There are also calls coming both on home phones and mobiles asking if you are in debt, if so they can help.  I haven't listened to all of it, but apparently there is a number you can dial if you wish to stop them calling. DO NOT, you never know what it will lead onto!  Likewise a reminder - BANKS DO NOT REQUEST YOUR DETAILS IN AN E-MAIL. Looking through my spam e-mails, I notice I must have an account in every bank in the country, some I have never heard of,(?Egg?), having only had one bank since married I knew something was wrong.

Due to the adverse weather conditions, the NHW meeting due to have been held this Monday 11th January,2010 has been cancelled. Any urgent matters either contact the Police or myself on 01454 632840.

Please be good neighbours and see if any help is needed.

Last Thursday/Friday, outside a property in Severn Beach, unknown person(s) have 'keyed' the sides of 2 vehicles parked  overnight in a residential road.  This offence is the latest in a string of identical offences involving vehicles belonging to members of this family.  If anyone saw/heard anything with regard to the above could they please contact the Police.

Careful!   With the snow and ice please leave extra room between you and the car in front of you. Only drive if really necessary and remember only bus routes are gritted in rural areas. (Pity they did not do Berwick Lane today when an accident closed the A403).

Just a timely reminder, if you are shopping please do not leave all the presents you have bought on show in the car. Likewise, do not leave them under the Christmas tree until Christmas morning. If you do not wish, you need not open the door to carol singers, but please support the local organisations when they come round in the bus. Do not drink and drive, and if the weather forecast is to believed (global warming?) be careful if ice on the road.

ABOVE ALL HAVE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR.

I received the item below through the post, and whilst I would not normally print anything sent anonymously, I did feel that this needed airing:

'Hours of Darkness Door-knockers                                              I've suffered the above experience, and thought it about time I did something about it. For the past two winters I have had very talkative and persuasive young people knocking at my door.  The work singly, but sometimes in pairs yet prefer to call during the hours of darkness. They claim to be collecting on behalf of various charities - Children in need, the blind, animal welfare, etc.  Calling so late in the day aroused my suspicions, and in these days of doorstep confidence tricksters I refuse to deal with them.  Can you publish this to warn others? My advice is not to donate or even give your name, which they could use when calling on a neighbour. This letter is sent in all sincerity and on behalf of the older population of Severn Beach and Pilning.'

If you are at all worried let the police know, they would rather be informed that to find out later they could have done something.

On behalf of Neighbourhood watch may I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful and safe New Year.