The latest Trading Standards Bulletin may be viewed below. LOSRA joins Trading Standards in wishing all our readers a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Give cold callers the cold shoulder this Christmas!

We have received Intelligence reports of cold callers selling the following products and services:

• Mattresses (beware - these may not comply with flammability standards)
• Massage equipment for the elderly
• More reports about offers of advertising space for businesses in emergency services magazines.

Remember - don't feel pressured into buying goods or services as a result of a cold call. Take your time, do your research and if you want to stop cold callers from knocking at your home them please contact us to obtain a "No Cold Calling Super Sticker"

Recalls

Check your Christmas Cheese Board!

Asda, The Co-operative and Morrisons have withdrawn certain batches of mild cheddar and red Leicester cheese because small pieces of metal may be present in the following products:

• ASDA Smart Price Mild White Cheddar, 385g
• ASDA Smart Price Red Leicester, 385g
• The Co-operative British Mild White Cheddar 250g
• The Co-operative Value Red Leicester
• Morrisons M Savers Mild White Cheddar, 350g
• Morrisons M Savers Mild White Cheddar, 700g
• Morrisons M Savers Grated Mild White Cheddar, 500g
• Morrisons M Savers 10 Mild White Cheddar Cheese Slices, 240g
  
  

If you have bought any of the products listed above, please go to the following link for further instructions: http://www.food.gov.uk/news-updates/recalls-news/2012/dec/cheese-metal-withdrawal

Pushchair recall from Bugaboo

Bugaboo is recalling some of their Cameleons and Donkeys pushchairs because the white button on the carry handle may pop out when the bassinet/pram body is resting on the ground or is placed on an unstable surface. If the white button pops out, the carry handle may detach on one side.

If you have one of the affected Bugaboo Cameleons or Donkeys you should remove the current carry handle from the pushchair until a new carry handle has been fitted.

The Bugaboo Cameleons affected by this recall have serial numbers in the ranges:

• S/N 04011090900001 to S/N 04031101009999
• S/N 08011090900001 to S/N 08021100800386
• S/N 140100093600531 to S/N 140103123350418

The Bugaboo Donkeys affected by this recall have serial numbers in the range:

• S/N 170101105300001 to S/N 170104130900500

Affected customers should immediately contact Bugaboo customer services on 0800 587 8265.

Stay safe in your home at Christmas

Christmas is a time when your home is likely to be full of people and it is in the excitement of the season that accidents can easily happen. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has issued 12 safety tips to help prevent your festivities being cut short by a trip to casualty:

http://www.rospa.com/homesafety/adviceandinformation/christmassafety/safety-tips.aspx

New year’s resolutions support

Did you know that you are up to four times more likely to be able to quit smoking if you get some support, rather than going "cold turkey" or attempting to do it alone? Contact your local Stop Smoking Service at www.surreyquit.net for free support to help you kick the habit. You can visit a weekly clinic near you or get support over the telephone. There is no fuss and no cost, just friendly and effective help! Call them now on 0845 602 3608

If you are looking to reduce your alcohol intake then why not try having an alcohol-free January? Feel better, save money and make a difference. http://www.dryjanuary.org.uk/

If you are concerned about someone else’s drinking or your own, local help is available through www.surreydrugcare.org.uk/alcohol/ and for more information go to www.alcoholconcern.org.uk

How green will your Christmas be?

With so many presents being packaged, bought, wrapped and unwrapped at this time of year, what can you do to minimise your impact on the environment? Remembering to reduce, reuse and recycle will help to make your habits greener. For example, cut only as much wrapping paper as you need to cover a gift and separate your recyclable waste as you generate it.

Find out what the Surrey Councils are doing to help secure a greener future for Surrey and what you can do to help:www.surreywastepartnership.org.uk/index.php

Cut food waste and save money this Christmas

As food prices continue to rise around the world, it’s a sobering thought to know that many families waste up to £50 a month throwing away uneaten food. We also know that cutting down on food waste can be a challenge, especially when pushed for time and children don’t always want to eat what has been cooked for them.

To help reduce food waste, take a look at www.lovefoodsurrey.com/component/content/article/231 where Love Food Surrey chef Carmela Tomkins gives her top festive tips to help you plan the perfect waste-free Christmas.

Taking just one small step to reduce food waste can have a big positive effect on the environment and save you money too. Will these tips inspire you to take that step?

For some festive fun you can take a look at our Twitter and Facebook accounts (you don't need to sign up to see these!)

@surreyts facebook.com/surreytradingstandards

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year from the team at Trading Standards!

Bandit, a beautiful five year-old tabby cat is urgently seeking a new home as his owners are returning to South Africa this week. He is chipped and neutered, and very affectionate and child-friendly. He has slightly wonky back legs, which means he’s not quite as agile as most cats.

If you are interested in giving Bandit a good home, please contact Desiree, as soon as possible, on 07545 853 521.

Lower Sunbury celebrates Advent with its annual community carols event, Carols in the Meadow, which takes place this year on Thursday 13th December at 6.30 in Orchard Meadow on Thames Street. This is always a popular and well-attended start to the Christmas season, with music led by the Salvation Army Band, and Father Christmas putting in an appearance for the children. Mulled wine will also be on offer for a donation and buckets will be passed around to help defray the costs of putting on the event.

This year, once again, the event coincides with the Christmas Market (5pm – 9pm) outside the shops in Avenue Parade which is organised by the Lower Sunbury Business Community. There will be 20 stalls offering arts and crafts, food sampling, presents, jewellery and accessories; so all are welcome to join in the fun and get into the festive spirit.

The following email from Spelthorne Council has been received by LOSRA and we are happy to reproduce it here:

If there’s one thing guaranteed to ruin your meal with friends, family or colleagues this Christmas, it’s a nasty bout of food poisoning.

But if you’re eating out, how do you know whether the restaurant owner takes food hygiene seriously?

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme rates the hygiene standards of restaurants and other places that sell food, based on inspections carried out by Spelthorne Council’s Environmental Health staff.

This national scheme, developed by the Food Standards Agency in partnership with local authorities, rates food outlets on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom (urgent improvement necessary) to a top rating of five (very good).

So if you’re organising a Christmas gathering at a local restaurant, pub or hotel, make sure you check the venue’s hygiene rating before you book by visiting http://ratings.food.gov.uk/authority-search/spelthorne

You can also download a free phone app from the Council’s website or look out for the distinctive green and black rating sticker which food businesses are encouraged to display.

Councillor Jean Pinkerton, Spelthorne Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Independent Living said: “When choosing a restaurant you’ll automatically think about the type of food and service offered but I would also encourage you to check their food hygiene rating too. It only takes a minute and you can be reassured that the venue you choose takes food safety seriously and isn’t taking risks which could ruin your Christmas.”

The last Music Night of the year at Sunbury Cricket Club is on Friday 14th December when the Club welcomes The Beat Legends for an evening of wall-to wall Mersey Era classics with the intention of having a real party night to round off 2012's programme of Music Nights.

Yanni, the group's leader, is a veteran of The Cavern in Liverpool, having started his career there in the thick of the '60s Beat Boom, and he played there when club re-opened in 1967.

The music of that era goes down well at the Club, as they've had two cracking nights when the 60s All Stars have played, so it's hoped they will get a good crowd there for a proper festive atmosphere, and maybe even some dancing!

If your Christmas party season hasn't started by then, put a gang of friends together and come down to kick it all off. It will be a fun night. Visit www.thebeatlegends.co.uk for more information.

With the festive season upon us we can expect an increase in scams and other criminal devices designed to relieve residents of their hard earned cash or savings.

A proposed hydropower project at Sunbury Weir has already caused great consternation within the community and especially among riverside residents.

The Company will be consulting residents this side of the river at 3pm on Saturday, 15th December at the Riverside Arts Centre, Thames Street but, in the meantime, have arranged a public consultation event at the Elmbridge Excel Leisure Complex in Waterside Drive, Walton, on 6th December.

For full details, click here

Following the exhibition held last Saturday 24 November the steering group for the development would like to give those who didn’t have the chance to come along to have their say on the latest plans. There are the two options for the development that were presented at the exhibition, along with some indications from the architect on the proposed look and feel for the site.

A draft plan for a pedestrian crossing on Fordbridge Road as well as some improved signage signalling entry to the village are also included. To view plans, click on the links below:

• Highways Treatment (PDF)
  
• Precedents and Concept (PDF)
  
• Site Plan Options (PDF)
  
• Street Elevations and Perspectives (PDF)
  

If you would like to have your say on the latest plans, there is an online survey you can complete - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8NBYWDL

If you have any questions or queries on the plans, you may forward these by email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A flood warning has been issued for the Sunbury area from Walton Bridge to Kenton Court Meadows including Wheatley’s Eyot and Sunbury Lock. It also includes areas to the north of the Thames including Kempton Park and Longwood Business park.

There is a possibility that about 30 properties could be affected. It should be noted that sandbags will only be provided for those most in need.

Further essential information may be found on the Spelthorne Council Website: http://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/

Given the intemperate weather we are currently experiencing, residents may be concerned about the risk of flooding especially as Lower Sunbury has been badly affected in the recent past.

The link below will answer your questions as to whether you are at risk. It will also allow you to sign up for free flood warnings which may be sent to you direct by telephone, mobile, email, text, fax or pager. 

It will also explain how you might reduce the impact of flood and what you should do in that event.

Check if you are at risk from flooding and sign up for FREE flood warnings