Previous front cover of The Scene Photo by Ron Weir

Well May already and summer looming large on the horizon. (I hope.)

I must say that I am really hoping for a good long hot summer this year as I don't do cold very well any more, and it has certainly been "taters in the mould" since arriving back from my little sojourn in the sun in February.  Whatever happened to this "Global warming" they keep going on about??

A couple of trips to local Garden Centres and D.I.Y. emporiums has certainly convinced me that I'm not the only one hoping for a good summer after seeing all the garden furniture, sun umbrellas, gazebos and barbecues for sale. I really enjoy a "Barbie"  (He really enjoys anything that gives him an excuse for a drink. Er-indoors). A nice warm evening, or even an afternoon, with the smell of lumps of meat and the odd sausage being incinerated as the conversation flows (Along with the beer!  Er- indoors). What more could you want? Well, having the long warm evening guaranteed would be nice. Far too many times in the past have we tried to have a barbecue only to have it rained off or for it be so cold that everyone huddled round the Barbie until served and then retired inside to eat.

Still, before then I have another little treat in store.  Starting just after Easter I have to do two weeks jury service.  Having served for almost thirty years in the Prison Service, and attended many Crown Courts during that time, it will be quite a change seeing how a jury reach their verdict.  (God help anybody that he has to try, he's about three steps further right than Ghengis Khan. I just hope that there hasn't been another controversial case in the newspaper that morning. 
Er-Indoors.)

As you may have noticed this is also the beginning of the year for most of our advertisers, and, as we have lost some of our old ones so we have gained some new ones. Truly it never ceases to amaze me the variety of goods and services we advertise in our little magazine and this time even more so than ever. So, whatever you want have a look through our adverts first, you never know you may be able to get it better or cheaper locally.

Anyway I think that is about it for this time. Another load of old rubbish, but don't think that you have to read my old rubbish all the time. Why not write some yourself??? We will always try to find room for contributions (As long as they are not too controversial) in fact our local rambler Roger Medley has asked if anyone knows of any more village based walks that he hasn't covered as he is now starting to look further a field.  So there we are Trash tolerated Rubbish received Guff gratefully accepted, in fact anything that will help to fill these pages.

Jim Fieldsend

We are desperately seeking volunteers to help out on Carnival Day. If you can help in anyway please contact Jo on 01440 821495.

Words in my ear
A Lady in Thorns Close has been finding a rather large number of golf balls in her garden over the last few months.  Unable to find, despite numerous searches, a breeding pair of golf balls it would seem that someone is doing a bit of practise on the recreation ground and is getting rather too enthusiastic.  Please, please if you must practise there have regard for others who live close to or are using the Rec at the same time. A golf ball is quite a dangerous projectile when in full flight.
Another Lady complained about the lack bins for disposing of dog mess.  As it stands at the moment there is only one bin provided for the use of "Pooper Scoopers" in the village which is at the entrance to the village hall car park.

Important News

CPO Brendan McKenna has asked that we use the following system for contacting him:
If you wish to report a crime in progress or require immediate assistance please dial 999.

For all other situations and to speak to CPO Brendan McKenna direct : Tel: 01284 774100 - McKenna CPO 608
If you have any useful information as a Neighbourhood Watch member please report it to CPO Brendan McKenna on the above number and ask to speak to him on airwaves. You can also report anything non-urgent (anything that does not require immediate or emergency assistance). 

By calling this number and asking for McKenna CPO 608 you are patched through to his radio.  If he is unavailable you will be able to leave a message.  This means that as soon as he is back on duty or available, he will receive your message direct through his radio.

PLEASE NOTE : CPO's are off duty for 2 days in a rota system.  If you leave a message it may be during the off duty period and so you will not receive a response for a few days.  CPO Chris Spraggons (CPO 411) also covers Haverhill Rural and will help if he is available.

If you wish to have immediate assistance and the matter is not a 999 emergency then you should explain the problem to the Call Centre Operator who will put you through to an appropriate Officer currently on duty. 

Neighbourhood Watch would also like to ask that you let your local Co-Ordinator know of any crime or suspicious activity in your area so that we can alert the rest of the village if necessary.  If the crime is specific to you, we do not need details - just enough information to hopefully stop it happening to anyone else.  Many thanks.

Watch this Space
Wickhambrook Ladies Night - September 16th
In aid of Breast Cancer and Wic-Kids Club
More details later

Bingo
May 3rd and June 6th
W.I. Hall, 7.30pm - Raffle and refreshments

Finance matters

Ethical Investments
Is there money in morals?  This question was recently posed in one of my financial journals and the conclusion is ... Yes.

Many people choose to buy fuel from renewable resources (such as solar, water and wind power) and to buy Fairtrade or organic products from the supermarket, while avoiding anything that they believe harms the environment or workers.  Such products may be more expensive than their non-ethical (I wouldn’t like to say unethical) counterparts, but many consider the extra costs are worthwhile.

In terms of investments, it is also possible to stick to your social, environmental and ethical principles. There is a wide range of investment products available, all of which aim to meet a variety of ethical criteria as well as representing Socially Responsible Investment.

In the USA, the Ave Maria Catholic Values fund and the Vice fund were launched in 2002. Both funds have performed well so far … so, whatever your ethics, there is a fund for you!

Many ethical fund managers specifically exclude some or all companies involved in various controversial areas, for example:

• animal testing
• arms and nuclear energy
• alcohol, tobacco and gambling
• abortion and embryo research
• environmental pollution
• undemocratic countries
• worker or human rights abuse

Other managers deliberately choose companies involved in areas considered to be ‘green’, such as safe waste disposal or renewable energy. Funds are also available where the manager actively encourages the companies that they invest in to become more ethical and socially responsible. 

What is unethical for one person may well be perfectly ethical for another person.  For example, the animal testing of medicines.  This means that selecting suitable funds can be time consuming, but, whatever your particular beliefs and ethics, it should be possible to find a selection of investments that you are comfortable with.

Performance of ethical funds
The ethical restraints on investment can both help and hinder performance.  If the investment criteria are very tight then the volatility of the fund can increase.  However, if you choose your ethical funds carefully, good returns can be obtained which are not dissimilar to their non-ethical counterparts. 

The Budget
There were no major bombshells in the March 2006 Budget.  Minor ones include changes to the tax treatment of trusts (that will effect some inheritance tax planning) and taxation of venture capital trusts. If you would like a free booklet giving the main budget changes please let me know.

Further information
If you would like more information on the topics above, please contact me (details as per BV Services advertisement or take a look at www.bv-ifa.co.uk. Please note this article contains general information only and should not be viewed as specific advice.

John Bramwell BV Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority