Blog

I am writing this and watching a blackbird bathing in a tub outside my window, not a care in the world – so unlike all of us. What glorious weather we are finally having, and I hope you are enjoying the sunshine in your gardens and on your walks, seeing the blossom appearing in all its splendour.

This is such a traumatic time we are going through and so many people I speak to are really worried and frightened, and missing the comfort of their families. And I also worry that we may have overlooked someone in the Village who needs help, so please tell me if there is someone you are concerned about, as we can get help and support to them. The Village Volunteers have now been issued with a pass to show when they are out and about on their missions for people.

We have just had a really good piece of news: our Village Hall has been given a generous sum of money by Colchester Borough Council, which will go some way to ease their financial problems. Thank you to our Borough Councillors for that.

As well as bringing out the best in people, a situation like this can bring out the worst as well: there have been some new online scams going around so please be careful when opening attachments on your computer.

I have also had complaints of people dumping their dog poo bags, either by the paths or by full dog-bins. It is really disgusting making someone else pick them up and dispose of them – especially now. If a dog-bin is full, please take your dog bags home with you.

I must end by repeating the pleas you will all have heard: obey the social distancing laws. These are fundamental to saving lives. I know everyone is desperate to see family and friends again, and probably more so with the Easter weekend coming – but please, please do not go out unless it is for one of the four reasons everyone should know by now.

Stay at Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives

Best wishes to you for Easter, the strangest I hope I will ever have.

Anne Hughes

Parish Council Chairman

734168

I have had a report that there have been a group of children on the playing field.

Please may I remind you the recreation field is closed.

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