Page 46 - link magazine

Sign up to save Beware of loan sharks on the doorstep
on energy While much publicity is being given to the impact pay day lenders are
As the big six energy providers are all having on society, the pernicious activities of loan sharks are in the sights
raising prices there has never been a of Swindon Council’s trading standards officers.
better time for consumer power to The department works
strike a better deal. closely with the England Il-
Swindon’s second collective switch- legal Money Lending Team
ing scheme officially launches on which consists of specialist
10 December. It works by using the officers who investigate
combined buying power of residents illegal lending, and liaison
from the borough and across the officers who support victims
country to negotiate cheaper prices and raise awareness of the
with energy companies. dangers of borrowing from
Rather than switching as individu- illegal lenders.
als people register to switch as a large The team investigates and
group all at the same time to achieve
economies of scale. Pre-register now prosecutes both illegal lend-
by mailing: energyswitch@swindon. ing, and also any offences
gov.uk. The scheme closes on Monday that are linked to it such
17 February, as violence, threatening be-
In its first switching scheme in April haviour, counterfeit goods,
over 750 people registered resulting drug offences, kidnap and
in an average saving of £72 a year on even rape.
their bills. Nationally the Illegal
Money Lending Teams have Look out for Eddy the Shark, star of a Trading
secured 267 prosecutions Standards Christmas Safety Campaign event on
for illegal money lending 14 December in Swindon town centre
and related activity, leading to cus- To report a loan shark in con-
Your VHS video, camcorder todial sentences. Over £40 million fidence, call the 24/7 hotline on
tape or cine film transferred in illegal debts has been written off 0300 555 2222; text ‘loan shark +
to DVD Disc from £15 for 22,000 victims. your message’ to 60003; or mail:
If you have borrowed from an un- reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.
Tel: 01793 705333 licensed lender, you have not broken gov.uk
the law, but they have. Facebook: stoploansharksproject

Make the world a little friendlier by hosting
an overseas student over Christmas
Many adult international students at universities in the UK find it difficult
being far from home and adjusting to a new culture, particularly during
the great British shut down in December.
HOST UK promotes international friendship and understanding by ar-
ranging for students to spend a short time experiencing everyday life here,
meeting new people and exploring local areas.
Hosts meet people from across the world, learn about different countries
and do their part for international friendship.
More invitations, which can be for a day, a weekend, or for Christmas, are
always needed. Hosts do not need to live near a university. Host’s regional
organiser Frances Good would like to hear from you on 01934 712606.
www.hostuk.org

West Swindon & The Lydiards St. John’s Haydon Wick

Church Partnership On Thames Avenue

Join us in worship on Sunday mornings next door to
Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10.00am Morrisons
St Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze - Contact:
the church in the park: 10.00am Revd Raymond Adams
All Saints’ Lydiard Millicent - Tel: 634258
the church in the village: 10.30am
Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am Sunday 9am Traditional communion service
Toothill Church: 10.30am Services 11am Eventful, contemporary worship
For details of these and our other services with children’s groups meeting
call the Partnership Office on 01793 874221 www.stjohnshaydonwick.org.uk
Email: [email protected] Website: www.wswinlyd.org.uk
Open to all, serving tea, coffee, cakes & light lunches
Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church Fridays and Saturdays: 10am - 2pm
46 swindonlink.com • December 2013

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