THE Business Crime Reduction Centre (BCRC) is warning people about a new email scam that threatens victims with court action.
Fraudsters have been sending out legitimate looking spoof emails designed to trick recipients into installing malware. The emails say you have been notified and scheduled to appear for a court hearing, and contains specific dates, times, locations and reference numbers.
It asks you to download a copy of the “court notice” attached. The downloadable.zip file actually contains an .exe file (a file that executes when clicked) containing a virus. The email has no connection to the Criminal Justice System and anyone receiving the email should not download any attachments or click any links and report it to us by using our online fraud reporting tool.
Subject headers change frequently
You are likely to see some variations of this email, as it is easy for fraudsters to amend the details and continue targeting people. BCRC’s cyber security specialist said: “The email is difficult to block as the subject headers change frequently.” He added: “Provoking a panicked, impulse reaction has become a very common scam technique for cyber criminals. Opening the attachment allows the criminal to spy on the victim, use their computer to commit crime, or steal personal and financial information.”
Please note that Action Fraud is not responsible for the content of external websites. To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use the online fraud reporting tool
AFTER overcoming the depths of Domestic abuse, award winning mumpreneur and founder of WISH Women, Lottie Moore, will be leading a group of eight women 4160m up Jbel Toubkal in Morocco, the highest point in North Africa and, fittingly, will be summiting on International Women’s Day, on March 8. Lottie is hoping to raise £1500 for the charities, Giving Africa and Limb Power.
Lottie takes up the rear during her last organised charity trek to Kilimanjaro
In October 1999 Lottie was expecting her first child and with only four more months to go, she was looking forward to the day that her daughter would be born. Instead she received 17 months of physical, emotional and psychological abuse from her partner at the time, living in fear of what might happen to her and her new-born child.
“When my ex-partner was finally arrested in 2001, I thought it marked the end of an horrific journey, but in fact it was the beginning of a new, and just as debilitating time of my life, which went on for over six years,” recalled Lottie.
By 2008, after years in and out of court fighting over her ex-partner’s relationship with their daughter, Lottie decided it was time to change her life and she and her daughter moved to Burkina Faso in West Africa for most of 2010. “When I left for Africa I had nothing in my mind more than escaping the life I was living, but it resulted in an experience beyond all expectations that nourished my soul, fueled my self-belief and filled me with a renewed desire to live a life of purpose and passion,” added Lottie.
“The six-night women’s trip climbing Toubkal will be a huge challenge but it will encourage us to look beyond our believed limitations, step out of our comfort zone and shine, and it is no coincidence that we will be summiting on International Women’s Day.”
Although she has previously project-managed a climb on Mount Kilimanjaro for Giving Africa in 2011, Lottie feels that the main challenge has been the organisational side of the trek . But she expects that the group as a whole will be mostly challenged by fatigue, with the last day comprising of a gruelling 13 hours of walking. “The altitude slows you down and makes your head groggy,” explained Lottie, “and the temperature at the moment is -12c with a chill factor of -24c at the summit. Emotionally it’s a huge challenge to keep pushing yourself beyond your boundaries. None of us has a huge amount of experience as walkers and we are all of regular fitness. I predict we will be getting through a lot of Kleenex with all the tears at the summit!”
As an abuse survivor Lottie hoped that her story would help inspire women to start living their lives with renewed positivity, passion and purpose and so she set up WISH Women which provides a space where all women can come together to recognise their unique qualities and strengths, to encourage, equip, support and inspire.
Formerly a social worker and then a healthcare assistant, Lottie is now a much-in-demand women’s coach and professional speaker. Having previously run the marathon and Lived Below the Line for five days, Lottie continues to challenge herself and to inspire others by taking on learning to be a fire walking instructor during the summer. Every year she gives 10% of her income to charity and she has just written a book – Why Not You? Why Not Now? She plans to organise a different trek every year.
You can find out more about WISH Women by visiting the website: www.wishwomen.org.uk
TWO pub managers from Thame are just back from Kenya after doing their bit to help save the frontiers of the Maasai Mara Reserve, one of the natural wonders of the world. Evelin Rae, manager of The Thatch, and her number two, Serena Toh, visited the country as part of a 12-strong team sent by their parent company Peach to help conserve this increasingly fragile part of Africa.
Serena Toh and Eveline Rae take a break on their great adventure to Kenya to help plant a forest
Evelin and Serena flew to Kenya on January 25, and drove out to the Maasai Mara, reaching the remote Enonkishu Conservancy on the northern boundary of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. Here they planted 20,000, two inch trees, together with a fence around them to protect the conservancy, and help create what’s been termed the ‘Last Line of Defence’ for an area of land under growing threat.
As well as planting a forest in a week, they also went to a cattle market to buy a cow as part of a project, to promote sustainable farming, and lived under canvas, hiking and spending time exploring this amazingly beautiful and unspoilt region.
“All in all I think it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences and one that will stay with me forever,” said Evelin, manager of The Thatch. “There were just 12 of us, in Landrovers, making our own way, and sometimes getting lost, heading for the greatest adventure of our lives.
“Meeting the people was I think the high point for me. The friendliness and serenity of Kenyans is amazing. Even when we went to a cattle market to buy a cow, the reaction we got from the people there was exactly the same as if they were selling a cow to their neighbour – we were treated as friends.
“Also it was fantastic to hear from the Maasai people the difference they are trying to make in their way of life and why they are working with the conservancy on projects that protect their land and their heritage. We planted three fields of trees to help and I wish we could have done more, but I think us coming back and talking about it in our pubs will make the biggest difference. I know Serena and I will both be telling people in the pub about it for a long time, in the hope of opening their eyes too to part of the world that really needs our support.”
Locals and pub guests can still support Evelin and Serena, the Last Line of Defence and the Enonkishu Conservancy by contributing via www.peachfoundation.co.uk. They can also get involved simply by ordering the pub’s Caesar Salad when they visit The Thatch; for every salad ordered, the pub donates 25p to The Peach Foundation to help fund education, sport and conservation in Africa.
IN the first of two recent burglaries, on Friday, February 7, between 7am and 6pm offender(s) attempted, unsuccessfully to gain entry to a property in Southern Road, Thame.
Between 4pm and 12.30pm on Saturday, February 8, a property in London Road, Milton Common was broken into. Offender(s) gained entry by smashing and forcing a rear window. Items stolen include jewellery, cash and a TV.
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, are asked to call the police on 101.
Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
MONTHLY talks at Thame Museum are beginning this week, on Thursday, February 13, when the subject will be Henry Boddington, Part 2 – the larger-than-life, 19th century Thame resident .
Henry Boddington, Brewer, who was born in Thame in 1813, and lived here for many years
The talk is being given by David Bretherton and begins at 7.30pm. There are still tickets available, price £5 / £3 for members. They can be purchased on the night, but if you want to be sure of a seat for these popular talks, it’s best to reserve your place, either by telephone to Thame Museum : 01844 212801 or by emailing : publicity@thamemuseum.org
HALF-TERM in looming so a great time to both occupy the kids and help them keep fit all in one go at Raquets Fitness Centre, in Thame, where they are running two great courses for kids.
Junior half-term fitness camp is running on February 18, where they can learn how to train in the gym or anywhere, safely; how to train specifically for sport or just for health and well-being.
Racquets very popular Squash Camp for Juniors is running for kids ages between seven and eight years-old, on February 19 and 20.
A Thame resident has spoken of his fears for the consequences of building on the old pig farm in Oxford Road, Thame, one of the designated sites in the Thame Neighbourhood Plan.
Photo taken from Ford bridge on Oxford Rd looking west across Cuttle Brook field towards by-pass 11 am this morning – by Barry Yates
Barry Yates, a member of the Oxford Road Residents Association, which opposed Site F, as it is known in the TNP, to being adopted as suitable for development in the district council’s Core Strategy, said the following:
“We have lived here for 30 years and myself in Thame for nearly all my life. This is the worst flooding ever [I am too young to remember 1947]. The entire bank of the Cuttle brook has never been broken before. The water is up to the top of the Oxford Road bridge, with nowhere else to go but into the field! The field next to our house in Cuttlebrook Gardens is completely flooded up to the edge of our garden fence.”
“Water is flowing at the foot of the hill in the Oxford Road out of drains and from a manhole cover by Waterloo Cottage. There is raw sewerage, mainly on the path, spilling out. It happened last time it rained heavily; the drains cannot cope. This is one of the main reasons we opposed any development on site F, and so vigorously against 600 houses there under the initial SODC core strategy. With 203 allocated under the Thame Neighbourhood Plan as a minimum, with this possibly increasing to 326 if the Lord Williams’s amalgamation does not proceed, the impact on more widespread flooding cannot be overestimated. “
The adoption of Site F was very controversial during the consultation stage of the Core Strategy and the TNP, particularly when Thame Town Council switched its preference from Site D to Site F, attracting opposition from residents groups such as The Oxford Road RA and residents of The Renaissance (Rycotewood site), over flooding fears.
The Developer has always maintained that flooding on the proposed site could be prevented with the use of containment ponds in the lower corner of the site.
WITH the recent heavy rainfall in the area and more predicted over the coming days, Thames Valley Police is warning drivers to take extra care on the roads. Many local roads are already flooded and this is likely to get worse if the weather forecasts are correct for the coming days.
Several motorists have already been caught out trying to drive through floods – only to find that they are much deeper than they initially appear, leaving them (and their vehicles) stranded. The advice is:
Please do not ignore ‘Road Closed’ signs – they are there to keep motorists safe. Much more information and advice HERE and HERE to; (Useful if a flood should occur)
Local radio stations put out regular traffic updates, so please listen in to find out up to date information on flooding and traffic conditions and for Thame related incidents, HERE
Thame’s own firecrews have been extremely busy today. Watch Manager, Andy Ford, told Thame.Net: “Thame Fire fighters have had a busy day responding to flood related incidents, rescuing drivers from cars stuck in floods, assisting residents in Postcombe and Chalgrove in pumping out and diverting water that had flooded their houses.
“The Fire and Rescue Service has been very busy dealing with flood related incidents including rescuing drivers who have tried to drive through floods and got stuck. Please take note of Thames Valley Police’s guidance not to attempt to drive through Flooded roads and take note of Road closed signs. The depth of flood water is unpredictable and even those in large 4 x 4’s end up causing a wave which can wash into adjacent houses or damage other cars on the road. With more rain forecaste allow extra time for your journeys and be prepared for large puddles and floods in unexpected places.”
WHAT better way to leave the grey and damp behind and join the Mayor of Thame and the Mayors of all the other local authorities, for a fun night with scrumptious food, entertainment and good music, to raise useful funds for the Mayor’s Thame charities.
The Mayor of Thame, Cllr Peter Lambert
Tickets for the Mayor, Peter Lambert’s dinner are still available from the Information Centre in the Town Hall. So get yourself a partner or a group of friends, or come alone (there’ll be plenty of lovely people to team up with on table) and join the Mayor for an evening of dinner and dancing plus live entertainment from magician, Sylar.
The Mayor has been supporting SAFARI, a charity working with adults with disabilities, and Thame Players’ Build a Better Theatre campaign throughout the year and the Charity Dinner is another opportunity to raise vital funds for these two good causes. Tickets are priced at £45 which includes a three course meal, drinks on arrival and an evening packed with entertainment at the Oxfordshire Hotel.
The Mayor told Thame.Net: “My appeal is double barreled in fact as I’m also looking for donations by local businesses for the raffle.
“Times are tight at the moment and I’m aware that our retail outlets are bludgeoned constantly for donations (like myself) and I’ll understand if they can’t give any more away, but if you don’t ask…
“I realise £45 is, for some, rather a lot of money – especially if two of you are coming, but the price reflects the cost per person plus £10 for each charity. The dress code is black tie or lounge suit and I would like to stress that a lounge suit is perfectly adequate. I look forward to seeing you there!”
For more information about the Mayor’s Annual Dinner on March 1, visit the Information Centre or contact Rosie Collins on 01844 260495.
…… is the title of this month’s presentation at The Late Breakfast event, at The Spread Eagle, Thame, on February 13.
Christine Raynor, of Tangram Ltd
The presentation and open discussion on Marketing in the 21st Century will be given by Christine Rayner of marketing consultants, Tangram Ltd.
How does contact with 1.4 billion people really work? How does global access help you to stay local? Has the clarity come after the revolution?
These are some of the questions that Christine will tackle at the meeting. More information and booking details HERE http://www.thelatebreakfast.co.uk/thame.html
