Blog

From the Chairman

As Chairman there are so many things I would like to be saying to our residents. I would like to be out and about talking to people, but of course I am in isolation as so many others of you are. Every day I hear of things that are being done in the Village to help neighbours, friends, or indeed, complete strangers, and it makes me feel very humble.

As I am sure you are aware the Parish Council set up the Village Volunteers just before we were all locked down and we are fortunate enough to have about 30 Volunteers eager to help. The system works quite simply: someone in need rings me on 734168 or Maggie Holmes on 738868, the request is then cascaded to the Volunteers and someone says “I can do that”. It could be buying food, fetching prescriptions, helping stack shelves in the Village Shop or maybe just chatting to an isolated person. Today there was even a call for Milton for the baby unit in the Maternity Hospital and we found someone able and willing to help. So there seems to be nothing this group isn’t prepared to turn their hands to! Our 30 fantastic Volunteers are enough for the moment, but if you would like to be involved please call me on 734168 to let me know and I’ll be in touch if things change.

The Parish Council is also in lock down, but we are not asleep: at the moment we are investigating a pole that has suddenly appeared in the High Road. AGM’s and meetings are being put on hold, but the Councillors and Clerk are always happy to help if we can.

Sadly the play area has had to be put out of bounds. This is a Government requirement. We can’t physically close the area, but we ask residents to respect the notices we have put up and not use it.

A few people have been asking about rubbish collections, in particular asking how many black bags we can put out at the moment – the answer is 4 bags every two weeks.

Anne Hughes

Chairman

01206 734168

mrsmushroom@keme.co.uk

Message from Anne Hughes

By now I am sure you have all read the advice that the government has issued. We as a Parish Council would like to offer the following support:

If you have any concerns about the virus, especially if you are having to self-isolate, or perhaps you are worried about making some phone calls, or you need some shopping done, or you want any other help – maybe just someone to talk to – then we are here and would like to help.

If you don’t need help yourself, please also look out for vulnerable residents in the Village who may need some extra support.

Anne Hughes 734168, Maggie Holmes 738868, Ian Moore 734267, Richard Marriage,734392

We have received more information and been asked to share it.

This link is government advice:

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england

And these attachments are worth reading and using, if appropriate.

Affected countries poster

English_Home Isolation Advice

Government Guidance

Handwashing_techniques

Northern Italian Towns Poster A4

Public Advice Poster A4

Information about road closures coming up soon:

https://one.network/?tm=116284037

It’s a bit confusing but there seem to be two sets of works.

The first is by BT who are building a new “carriageway joint box” in Abberton Road on the way to Abberton near the one way bridge. This will take place between 28th February and 22nd March and will mean the road from Layer to Abberton will be closed for at least part of that time.

The second closure is for surface dressing and involves Malting Green Road, The Folley, Bounstead Road and possibly Fields Farm Road. This will take place between 28th April and 4th May and will mean that traffic will be diverted via the High Road and other roads depending on what order they do the work in.

This surface dressing work has been scheduled before but didn’t actually happen, so could presumably change again.

Christmas Eve: 7am – 6pm

Christmas Day: Closed

Boxing Day: 8am – 2pm

New Year’s Eve: 7am – 8pm

New Year’s Day: 8am – 2pm

https://www.colchester.gov.uk/check-my-collection-day/#ValidationSummaryEntityFormView

Margaret Holmes (“Maggie”) has become our new Parish Councillor, replacing Mark Jones, who resigned earlier this year.

From Essex County Council

Please click on the following link https://one.network/?tm=115209725 to find details of the intended closure of Abberton Road, Malting Green Road, The Folley, due to commence on 31st October 2019 for 5 days. The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while Essex County Council undertakes Pre-Patching in preparation for Surface Dressing.