The Festival was a most enjoyable weekend with so much talent displayed by our two villages; the flower arrangers giving us illustrations of earth, fire, water and the rainbow leading to the sun, and the organists providing a musical background; the artists who provided a feast of wonderful pictures and the crafts people displaying such a variety of talent; the musicians accompanying the delicious cream teas provided by the W.I. ('just like the Pump Room at Bath' was a comment I heard. Praise indeed!) Then there were all the 'back room boys', those who put up posters, distributed leaflets and painted road signs, the stewards, the picture hangers and the group of strong men who transported tables and the piano.

There were dozens of people involved in this project without whom it could not have taken place, so thank you one and all. May we look forward to another such weekend in, say, 5 years?

Betty Prime

Trading Standards are launching a new telephone number which is 0845 30 30 666. The Helpdesk has been successfully operating for nearly two years; the objective is to offer instant advice where possible to consumers and businesses in Cambridgeshire. In the first year of operation the helpdesk received 10,000 telephone calls. This year we are on target to respond to over 20,000 calls.

Helen Osgood

Community Education Officer

This month Mobile Advice looks at the complaints received about Doorstep Selling. Our 'We're not Buying it' Scheme was devised to help Consumers to combat this problem.

The Sellers often use high pressure sales techniques to convince vulnerable and elderly consumers to buy their goods or services. Most recently we have been working with the Police in Fenland to target this problem. The Scheme has been supported countywide especially by Crime and Disorder partnerships and the Huntingdonshire Task Force and has also received ,a great deal of publicity on BBC .Radio Cambridgeshire.

We have produced a leaflet giving helpful advice and information and a window sticker that can be used to send out a clear message to Doorstep Sellers that goods will not be bought on from the Doorstep. We encourage consumers to put these by their front doors to discourage any potential sellers from calling.