The Locksmith Journal Mar/Apr 2020 - Issue 67 | Page 4

From the Editor Be resilient, be resourceful, be respectful. » SOMETIMES I HAVE A spark of an idea for my editor’s letter before I start writing it (believe it or not), and sometimes I wait until I see the final draft of the issue before I draft my intro. One thing’s for sure: I didn’t see this coming, this time. To try and introduce this issue of The Locksmith Journal without mentioning Coronavirus would be impossible. I could do it, but to not acknowledge the enormous masked elephant in the room would be to gloss over an unprecedented situation we have – everyone of us – found ourselves in over the past few weeks. With the situation changing every day, who knows where we will be next time I address you like this. But for now, like so many of us, I am at home. No doubt that’s where you’ll be when you read this too. From a housekeeping point of view, as this magazine has been in production since long before lockdown – any mention of upcoming events or assemblies is of course subject to change. So please check in with the provider of the content (contact details/ website addresses will always be at the bottom of an article). With news changing all the time, inside and outside of the industry, please if you haven’t already – subscribe to our bi-weekly e-newsletter to keep up-to-date with all activity in between print magazines. Likewise, if you’d like to get a message to our readers, you can do so by getting in touch with the team and we will help you with the rest. Something that has kept me positive throughout the past few weeks is the resilience and resourcefulness of individuals and businesses during this strange time; from cosmetic companies turning their perfume production lines into handwash hubs, to manufacturers making ventilator parts instead of their usual wares, to now being able to get a meat box from my milkman. I’ve mentioned many times before how impressed I always am with this innovative industry to inspire and aspire against adversity, and I’d love to hear how you’re doing that right now – from one-person ‘man in van’ locksmiths to multi- national corporations, and I know the readers would too. Have you had to rethink the way you work? Have you repurposed your equipment? Have you dedicated your delivery drivers to something different? We’re all in this together. Let’s stay safe, keep each other safe, and there will be an end to this, even though we don’t know when it will be just yet. See you next time, Gemma, Editor Go to www.locksmithjournal.co.uk to stay up-to-date with all the latest news 4 Burg-Wächter offers community security kits through Secure Communities Scheme » BURG-WÄCHTER HAS today announced it is amending its unique outreach scheme that offers support to community causes. While the Burg-Wächter Secure Communities Scheme is suspending its cash awards due to the current situation with COVID-19, it is continuing to offer community support. Spokesperson Mark Pearson explains: “Our scheme supports community events and activities. In the current situation, these types of projects can no longer go ahead. However, we know that many communities now need to secure community property, equipment and outdoor areas. So we intend to continue to offer Community Security Kits through the scheme for the foreseeable future.” Applications for the amended scheme can be made through the website www.burg-wachter.co.uk/ community/. Communities can apply for up to £150 worth of product. The emphasis is being placed on supporting as many applications as possible within an overall limit of up to ten kits per month. The amended Secure Communities Scheme will run for as long as it is possible, based on external factors, or until the original awards are reinstated. Mark Pearson said: “Burg- Wächter launched the Secure Communities Scheme in November last year. Since then it has supported 10 community projects as varied as music festivals, agricultural shows, bonfire night fundraisers, bike maintenance training schemes and a cross section of youth projects. We have been delighted to help these projects bring some amazing and effective ideas to life, in aid of local communities. Going forward we are doing what we can to maintain our support to local communities without compromising the health, safety and security of anyone involved.” Burg-Wächter is known for its safes and post-boxes alongside an extensive range of locking products. Mark Pearson explains: “Burg- Wächter regularly receives requests for products to support charitable and community causes; anything from quality padlocks, cash & key boxes to technology driven security such as wifi- cameras and smart alarms. The Secure Communities Scheme enables us to formalise and scale up our charitable and community support, so that it reaches a wider audience.” www.burg-wachter.co.uk/ community/ MAR/APR 2020 locksmithjournal.co.uk Issue Takeover Magazine Sponsor