SPECIAL NUMBER IMPORTANT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) INFORMATION APRIL 2020
A BRIEF NOTE FOR THE READER These are unprecedented times; it is very important to strictly follow Government and medical advice, and support all the Most residents in the area of Seiriol Ward who live in and key workers in many different roles, by doing this we will around Llangoed, Glanrafon, Penmon, Beaumaris, Llanfaes protect the health service and save lives. and Llanddona will know of The Puffin already. We have a difficult time ahead; together we will beat this virus; With the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), life has changed it is more important than ever for us as a local community to beyond recognition, and will continue to change day by day. keep strong and supportive, together we will get through this. This is a special number of The Puffin. Royal On behalf of myself, Councillor Lewis Davies Mail can deliver only to complete Postcodes, and Councillor Alun Roberts, remember that such as LL58, LL59, etc., so some homes in we are here to help and support you within the the LL59 Postcode area will not be part of Seiriol Ward at all times. Take care and stay Seiriol Ward. We hope that those of you safe. outside Seiriol Ward still find some aspects of this newsletter useful. Carwyn Elias Jones Isle of Anglesey County Councillor www.seiriolalliance.co.uk/newsletters/
When things start to return to normal, we hope that the The Puffin will be available SOURCES OF NATIONAL INFORMATION again by delivery, or from its usual collection AND SUPPORT points in Beaumaris – Canolfan Beaumaris Isle of Anglesey County Council Leisure Centre, Central Bakery, Ena’s Newsagents, Spar and the Town Hall – and in In a nutshell: stay at home:
Llanddona – the Owain Glyndŵr. Much will Only go outside for food, health reasons or depend, though, on how things to do with work (but only if you cannot work from COVID-19 evolve, so it may be that we have home). to publish The Puffin only as an on-line If you go out, stay 2 metres (6.5ft) away newsletter for the time being, and updating from other people at all times. announcements will be made in due course Wash your hands as soon as you get home. via social media. Do not meet others, even friends or family. Disclaimer Please bear in mind that You can spread the virus even if you don’t information and guidance about COVID-19 is have symptoms. changing day by day: we have done our best
to ensure that the information given in this The situation: in respect of COVID-19 correct, but some of it might have changed by the time that it the situation is changing constantly within the UK, and it is is delivered and published on-line. expected that the virus will spread in a significant way.
Isle of Anglesey County Council’s website provides regular INTRODUCTION BY COUNCILLOR CARWYN JONES updates in respect of changes to its services, links to important information from the UK- and Welsh Governments, We are currently facing the biggest public health crisis in living and guidance from Public Health Wales. memory; this is going to be a long and challenging period for us all. The fantastic community spirit, volunteering and care It also provides a comprehensive listing of advice for we have for each other across the Seiriol Ward is more businesses and visitors, and details of the changes to Isle of important than ever and I would not wish to live anywhere else Anglesey County Council’s services. in the world as we face this crisis. 01248 750057: you will be given a variety of different Never did I imagine that, as the Cabinet member for the options from which to choose. Economy and Tourism on Anglesey, I would have to close all of Anglesey’s tourism hotspots, urge holidaymakers to stay at Covid-19 (Coronavirus) information home, and close Anglesey for visitors. www.anglesey.gov.uk/en/Residents/Emergencies/ covid-19-Coronavirus-information.aspx Once we defeat this global pandemic – and we will – let’s have a huge campaign to support our fantastic local businesses Vulnerable children or adults: Teulu Môn is a free and who are going to be under huge strain during this lockdown, inclusive service for families on Anglesey. It is the first point of support our local self-employed who offer a range of services, contact for all children, families and professionals for and let’s all sing from the rooftops that beautiful Anglesey is information, advice and assistance relating to children or the open and waiting to greet everyone again with open arms. families of children, aged 0-25 years.
During these difficult times, we are so grateful to every key 01248 725888 worker giving their all to save lives, take care of our emergency out-of-hours 01248 353551 communities and keep our island functioning. [email protected]
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Public Health Wales Menter Môn has been raising funds to purchase food and other essential supplies for the vulnerable, and over Health-related advice: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you £12,500 has been raised so far. need to do www.phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on- The 'Ciando' scheme has been launched: it’s a scheme to novel-coronavirus-covid-19/ identify the locations of all free accommodation for health- and emergency workers during these challenging times. Welsh Government Support has been given to '3D print' hundreds of visors for
Coronavirus (COVID-19) front line staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd. www.gov.wales/coronavirus Work is being undertaken to identify, collect and map information of various sorts that could be useful in the fight Coronavirus (COVID-19): a comprehensive set of links against COVID19 (equipment, empty buildings, vehicles, www.gov.wales/coronavirus#content individuals and so on). Stay at home. Follow the advice for coronavirus (COVID-19) Work is being undertaken to develop an on-line food www.gov.wales/search?global-keywords=coronavirus delivery service for various groups. Menter Môn aims to work with various nurseries and Gov.uk distribute seasonal plants and vegetables that otherwise Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do might go to waste. www.gov.uk/coronavirus You can find more information about these initiatives on Guidance: Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and Menter Môn’s website.
can’t do 01248 725700 www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus- [email protected] outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus- www.mentermon.com/en/covid-19/ outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do Age Cymru News and communications www.gov.uk/search/news-and- We offer a check-in-and-chat telephone service for the over- communications?topical_events%5B%5D= 70s in Wales who live alone. It is hoped that the initiative will coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response help provide some reassurances to older people, answer basic queries and link people to local services and support during Health and Safety Executive the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest information and advice Anyone over 70 in Wales may register with us, free of charge, www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm?utm_source= to receive a regular telephone call from the charity in either govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign= English or Welsh. All that you have to do is telephone or e- coronavirus&utm_term=intro&utm_content=digest- mail Age Cymru Advice. 2-apr-20 08000 223 444
[email protected] SOURCES OF LOCAL INFORMATION AND SUPPORT Carers Outreach Services Medrwn Môn We offer keep-in-touch calls to ensure that carers receive the We have decided that staff will not be conducting home visits best possible support over the telephone. This service allows or face-to-face meetings until further notice. Our support us to keep in regular contact. We offer emotional support, service will continue, however, and you can still contact Môn specialist information, including financial information over the Community Link direct by telephone or by e-mail, and we will telephone, via e-mail and Facebook; this includes video calls be happy to help in any way that we can. and video calls with sign language.
Môn Community Link 01248 725745 01248 370797 [email protected] Self-referral 0333 150 3456 (national) General office 01248 724944 for any other inquiries Self-referral 0330 094 7400 (Cymraeg) [email protected] Your Local Asset Co-ordinator is still available to speak to you
Gwasanaeth Cynnal Gofalwyr/Carers Outreach Service over the telephone and will try to conduct more keep-in-touch calls during this time. Crossroads
Menter Môn During this time of uncertainty you can be assured that we are still here to support you. We are still able to support you in Anglesey is no different from any other part of the world, and your home, even If you only need some shopping, or a is facing an extraordinarily challenging time with regard to the telephone call. COVID-19 global pandemic. Over the last two weeks, Menter Môn’s focus has shifted to respond to the challenges that the 01492 542212. island and its residents are facing. Dementia Connect
Menter Môn, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Medrwn Môn Dementia Connect is intended to reach as many people and others are committed to working in partnership to support affected by dementia as possible. This includes supporting the island’s most vulnerable people during to the COVID-19 people diagnosed with any type of dementia, carers and outbreak. family/friend support networks. We also support people who
Here’s a summary of the work that Menter Môn and its are worried about their memory or who have Mild Cognitive Impairment. partners are undertaking at the moment:
A network of local co-ordinators has been identified to The five key components of Dementia Connect are designed support vulnerable people and others who are self- so that people’s support can be tailored to their individual isolating and who are unable to shop for food and other needs. These components include self-management, supplies. telephone-based support, local face-to-face support, keeping- in-touch calls and Side by Side. Pop-up food banks have been established in various locations across the island. We will work with you to identify what component of Dementia
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Connect will help support you best and ensure that it is advice and specialist casework service, including anyone who tailored to your individual needs. is already open to us. If you require more than general advice, we will contact you within 2 working days to agree how we can Self-referral 0333 150 3456 (national) assist you. Our team offers specialist debt, welfare benefit and Self-referral 0330 094 7400 (Cymraeg) energy casework and general employment casework. [email protected] Royal Voluntary Service C.A.L.L. Here at Royal Voluntary Service we offer in-the-community C.A.L.L. is the Mental Health Helpline For Wales: Community 'Community Transport': collecting shopping for individuals; Advice & Listening Line. collecting prescriptions for individuals; transport for hospital
appointments. (freephone) 0800 132 737 Text 81066 Owing to increased demand we are running a drive for www.callhelpline.org.uk volunteers, so are looking for willing volunteers to increase our capacity to support individuals in the community. Shout www.volunteering.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/ Do you need text-based support in a crisis? Are you anxious, volunteer-search worried, stressed? Text us for 24/7 support from a Crisis Volunteer'. We are able to take new referrals straight away for 'Safe and Well', a telephone call once or twice a week to individuals who Text 85258 may be feeling lonely or isolated. If the person needs further www.giveusashout.org support we can refer for medical attention or to the correct Ynys Môn and Gwynedd Mind service. We also have our 'Tech Angels' available to help over the telephone if anyone requires any IT support. Ynys Mon and Gwynedd Mind is a local independent charity providing support to adults and young people (14-18) who are 01248 661915 experiencing mental health problems in the communities of [email protected] Anglesey and Gwynedd. Anglesey Food Bank www.monagwyneddmind.co.uk New applicants should telephone either Isle of Anglesey Samaritans County Council or Citizens Advice.
A totally confidential conversation with someone you don’t Isle of Anglesey County Council 01248 750057 know can often feel easier than trying to talk to friends or Citizens Advice Advicelink 0300 330 11921 (Mon-Fri family. That's why we’re contacted 5.7 million times every 9.30am-4.30pm) year. You don’t have to be suicidal to contact us; people often www.anglesey.foodbank.org.uk call us because of relationship- and family problems, such as [email protected] loss, including the loss of a job, a friend or a family member Community Police through bereavement; financial worries; job-related stress or overwork; body image issues… The Community Police Contacts in our area are
116123 PCSO3903 Misha Geurtjens (Menai Bridge/Beaumaris) www.samaritans.org 07974 243726
Citizens Advice PCSO3673 David Webster (Menai Bridge/Llanfairpwll) 07989 159457 We will give general advice via our Advicelink. www.north-wales.police.uk/your-neighbourhood/ Advicelink 0300 330 11921 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm) your-area?D=YM
You can chat online to an advisor by visiting our website. The local Neighbourhood Police Team would like to say a big
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/contact-us 'thank you' to all the communities helping each other and keeping safe. Please remember to stay at home and keep Contact us for advice on consumer issues (related to products safe where possible. or services you’ve purchased, for example) via our Consumer Helpline, or chat on-line to an advisor on our website. More Police information is available on the North Wales Police website. Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 (Mon, Thu 07496 571156, 9.30am-2.00pm; Tue, Wed 07496 571241, Coronavirus (COVID-19) information 9.30am-2.00pm) www.north-wales.police.uk/advice-and-support/ stay-safe/covid-19 Below are links to an on-line self-referral checklist for people to contact Citizens Advice, including applying for Food Bank help should they need it. DELIVERIES AND SERVICES TO/FOR ISOLATED PEOPLE
www.forms.gle/rJucCT8JUtrwzyeU8 (English) Please note: the information given here was correct at the www.forms.gle/1MDpTq3JxuDZCF566 (Cymraeg) time of publication, but is subject to change. Please ensure that you verify the terms of any delivery. Universal Credit Beaumaris: food/groceries Anyone seeking to make a new claim for Universal Credit should telephone Universal Credit Help to Claim. Central Bakery 01248 810386 Free delivery throughout Seiriol Ward of shop goods to the Universal Credit Help to Claim 0800 144 8444 elderly and vulnerable. Anyone feeling anxious or stressed can call our ICAN team for Mercado by the Midland 01248 811252 a chat. Delivery throughout Seiriol Ward; meals are from the Midland. 07496 571156 Mon, Thu 9.30am-2.00pm, 07496 571241 Pet Pit Stop (pet food, etc.) 07540 236652 Tue, Wed 9.30am-2.00pm Free delivery within 4 miles of Beaumaris; £10 minimum Anglesey residents will be able to gain access to full telephone spend.
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Spar 01248 810326 (Mon-Sun, 7.00am-9.00pm) Asda has created the Volunteer Shopping Card, a cashless Delivery throughout Seiriol Ward. means for people to help get the shopping in. It’s ideal for those who might be self-isolating, older or medically Tredici 01248 810651/01248 811230 vulnerable, and provides a contactless, safe and secure way Free delivery throughout Seiriol Ward; will collect to allow others to shop for them. prescriptions. Delivery is in different directions on different days so delivery on a particular day cannot be guaranteed. Volunteer Shopping Card www.asda.com/volunteercard Sam Williams (milk delivery) 07747 631861 Delivery twice a week throughout Seiriol Ward: milk, yoghurts, Home Bargains: Bangor 01248 353152, Llangefni free-range eggs, orange juice, etc. 01248 751526 Mon-Sat 8.30am-7.00pm, until 6.00pm Sat; Sun 10.00am- Beaumaris: take-away 4.00pm Bishopsgate House Hotel 01248 810302 www.homebargains.co.uk/ No take-aways to ensure staff safety, but will cook and deliver Marks & Spencer Simply Food: Bangor 01248 371918 a hot meal for self-isolating vulnerable individuals who are Mon-Sat 8.00am-6.00pm; Sun 10.00am-4.00pm unable to prepare their own; discretion guaranteed. Over-70s priority: Mon, Thu 8.00am-9.00am Meghna Tandoori 01248 812058 NHS/emergency workers priority: Tue, Fri 8.00am-9.00am Free delivery within 5-6 miles. www.marksandspencer.com/c/food-to-order www.marksandspencer.com/c/help/covid-19 Beaumaris: pharmacy Morrisons: Bangor 01248 351074 Rowlands Pharmacy 01248 810312 The store is very busy and contact by telephone and/or Because of increased demand can deliver only to existing- ordering on-line may be difficult. The café is changing to a and housebound customers. New customers, self-isolating or takeaway service for customers. otherwise, will need to make other arrangements to obtain Mon-Sat 8.00am-8.00pm; Sun 9.30am-4.00pm their prescriptions, via family members, neighbours or friends. NHS workers priority: Mon-Sat 7.00am-8.00am; Brynsiencyn/Llanfairpwll: food/groceries Sun 9.00am-9.30am
Hooton’s Home Grown Farm Shop & Café 01248 www.groceries.morrisons.com/ 430322 [email protected] www.groceries.morrisons.com/content/important- update-on-coronavirus-94110 Shops in Brynsiencyn and Llanfairpwll are open. Telephone or e-mail beforehand to order and pay for groceries, and they will Lidl: Bangor, Llangefni be delivered. Mon-Sat 8.00am-10.00pm; Sun 10.00am-4.00pm
Llanfaes: take-away www.lidl.co.uk/ www.lidl.co.uk/about-us/customer-update Harry’s Bistro 01248 812976 Hot Sunday lunch available to take away; free delivery for Tesco: Bangor 0345 677 9034 orders over £20; various ready meals to freeze or refrigerate. Mon-Sat 8.00am-10.00pm; Sun 10.00am-4.00pm Telephone orders by Friday evening. All enquirers will be NHS/emergency workers priority: Tue, Thu 9.00am-10.00am contacted on Saturday and payment by card taken; take-away Over 70s priority: Mon, Wed, Fri 9.00am-10.00am or home delivery. www.tesco.com/ www.tesco.com/help/groceries-faq/ Llangoed: food/groceries Waitrose: Menai Bridge 01248 712947 McColls 01248 490056 Mon-Sat 8.00am-7.00pm; Sun 10.00am-4.00pm No deliveries, but orders can be taken by telephone. The Post Over 70s priority: Mon-Sat 8.00am-9.00am; Office counter can provide cash. Sun 10.00am-11.00am Supermarkets www.waitrose.com/ www.waitrose.com/ecom/help-information/customer- Information on-line varies between supermarkets, but all now service/coronavirus have COVID-19 procedures in place to maintain social
distancing. Typically this involves queueing at two-metre intervals in the car park, with limited numbers allowed into the SEIRIOL ALLIANCE store at any one time (take your coat in case the wait is long The Seiriol Alliance was formed in 2017. It is a partnership of and cold!). all the communities in Seiriol Ward, and is formed of interested Home delivery slots are now very popular, so some local people, councillors, public services, local organisations, supermarkets are limiting these to priority customers, or have the Church, and the voluntary sector. very long wait times. This means, effectively, that the rest of us need to go there in person to shop. Given the It is supported by Medrwn Môn, Menter Môn (notably through Government’s guidelines to minimise how often you go out, the Cwlwm Seiriol Project), and Isle of Anglesey County Council. and with people also buying for vulnerable neighbours, limits on how many items can be bought in one shop can be a It meets 3-4 times a year. It discusses issues affecting the problem. Limits result from earlier panic-buying, so may be people of Seiriol, and, more importantly, tries to make things lifted as and when supply and demand are matched again. better for all of us by promoting health and wellbeing,
Aldi: Bangor, Llangefni community training, and improving local services. It is 8.00am-8.00pm, Sat 10.00am-4.00pm responsible for running the Seiriol Community minibus, and supports the Dementia Community Hubs. www.aldi.co.uk/ www.aldi.co.uk/covid19 It has helped with the purchase of equipment, including two cardiac defibrillators for community halls. Asda: Bangor 01248 285000, Llangefni 01248 725520 Mon-Sat 8.00am-8.00pm, until 10.00pm some days; Sun Thanks to community fundraisers, other organisations, 11.00am-5.00pm; businesses, and local councils, we now have 13 defibrillators www.asda.com/ in Seiriol Ward. Please note that there are only 8 available 24 www.asda.com/feeding-the-nation hours a day, 7 days a week.
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There are plans to install more defibrillators in Seiriol Ward quickly became apparent, so with the help of Robert (Llansadwrn, Llanfaes, Llandegfan, Llanddona, and Penmon), Townsend (Rector) and Lesley Rendle (Vicar) we launched and we will update the list when these are in place. the Scheme in March.
Cardiac defibrillators in Seiriol Ward There are three telephone numbers for the local community to ring during the day (8.00am-6.00pm), answered by Di, Lesley 1 Beaumaris Health Centre 8 Llangoed Community and Steve, and one overnight number (6.00pm-8.00am) for 2 Beaumaris Leisure Centre Lounge, Pont y Brenin Hub anyone who is distressed and needs someone to talk to, 3 Beaumaris Bulkeley Hotel (24hr) monitored by Robert. (24hr) 9 Llangoed Village Hall (24hr) 4 Beaumaris Castle Street 10 Llangoed Primary School During the day Di, Lesley, and Steve work in a rota of half- (24hr) 11 Penmon Coastguard Station days and two out of the three phones are always operational. 5 Beaumaris Fire Station (24hr) There is an answer message on the "resting" telephone (24hr) 12 Llanddona Village Hall (yr directing callers to the other two numbers. Other call-handlers 6 Llanfaes Henllys Hall Golf Hen Ysgol) (24hr) will be added to the rota over the forthcoming weeks. Club 13 Llandegfan Primary School 7 Llanfaes Henllys Hall HPB (24hr) There are currently over 100 registered volunteers, from all parts of Seiriol. The response of the volunteers has been heartwarming, and their willingness to freely give up their time with a positive "can do" attitude so impressive.
We appreciate that there is so much more informal support and neighbourly help going on in the community, and that the Seiriol Good Turn Scheme is only playing a small part in the wider community effort. We are a back-up for people to turn to, however, if there is no other alternative source of help.
In the first 14 days of operation we used over 70 different volunteers to deliver 166 "good turns", and 19 volunteers delivered the Seiriol Good Turn Scheme leaflets through almost every letterbox in the Seriol area. The feedback from individuals who have received a “good turn”, the pharmacies (particularly the Beaumaris chemist), the Health Centre, local businesses, and the wider community has been really positive so far. We hope to continue to provide support to all those who need it over the challenging weeks and months ahead.
Menai Bridge For those living in Menai Bridge help is
available from the Menai Bridge/Llandegfan COVID-19 Support Team. Steve MacVicar (Chair) [email protected] Rob Owen Lyndsey Campbell-Williams, Medrwn Môn (Secretary) 07539 885524 Mon-Fri 9.00am-1.00pm; [email protected] Sat 10.30am-3.30pm (urgent assistance only)
Wendy Allison
SEIRIOL GOOD TURN SCHEME 07852 467874 Mon-Fri 1.00pm-5.00pm; Sat 10.30am-3.30pm (urgent assistance only) There has been a successful Good Turn Scheme in Benllech for many years. Under such a scheme, local registered volunteers deliver help to people in need in their community. BEAUMARIS HEALTH CENTRE: ACCESS DURING THE About a year ago, long before any of us had heard of COVID-19 PANDEMIC coronavirus (COVID-19), Di Bell contacted the Seiriol Alliance Chair, Steve MacVicar, and proposed that a Good Turn Disclaimer This information was correct at time of writing. Scheme be set up in the Seiriol area. Due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic this information is subject to change. For up-to-date information
If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19, we can help please follow us on Facebook, or contact us:
Telephone any of the following numbers between 01248 810818 8.00am and 6.00pm [email protected]
07933 726913 07933 726914 07933 726915 www.beaumarishealthcentre.wales.nhs.uk/home
shopping prescription collection from the pharmacy posting Firstly, we would like to reassure all of our patients that we are mail a friendly telephone call urgent supplies help with dog here to support you during these uncertain times. Due to the walking current infective risk of COVID-19 we have had to make
Just call us and we will arrange for one of our local volunteers to important changes to protect our patients and staff. To avoid help you risk of infection spread we kindly ask that people do not access the health centre in person. We ask that, if you require If you are very worried and need to speak to someone overnight (between 6.00pm and 8.00am) the services of the Health centre, you contact us by telephone please call 07709 674805 or log into My Health Online.
We’re here to help If you require a GP appointment you should follow our usual
telephone triage system for booking appointments between Following a lot of planning and with the support of others, 8.00am and 12.30pm. You will then be contacted by a GP who particularly the Benllech Good Turn Scheme, Medrwn Môn will consult over the phone and then decide the most and the Community Transport Association (CTA), we were appropriate management. intending to launch the Seiriol Good Turn Scheme on 1 May All repeat prescriptions are to be dealt with through My Health 2020. Online where possible, and if you can’t access the internet
The realities of COVID-19 and its impact on the community then please post your prescription through the letterbox or
www.seiriolalliance.co.uk 5 OF 6 The Puffin NUMBER 31 APRIL 2020 send it in the post. We will also arrange to postdate Will it help to bring different parts of our community together or prescriptions and send them to the chemist in a steady fashion will it act to polarise and divide? to ensure that supply is maintained. These difficult times also bring out the very best aspects of our In some cases a small number of people will be required to community, too. There are lots of lovely kind people out there access the health centre. This is decided on by a case by case who are volunteering and helping others. If we can all be nice basis and the GPs will have made a thorough risk assessment to each other then there’s more chance that we can sustain before asking you to attend. Once here we have taken steps our collective mental health better through these difficult times. so that you follow the government social safe distance There’s a link below to a short YouTube film – just over 1¼ procedure and the face to face contact will be kept to a minutes – voiced by Michael Sheen. It gives us a nice positive minimum. message at a time when we all need something positive!
Self-certificate If you need to self-isolate, you can access an Do the little things: Looking out for each other safely isolation note so that you can self-certify. Please visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2a1h5wb6sM&t
www.111.nhs.uk or
www.gov.uk THE EASTER SURPRISE for more details. On Holy Saturday (the day before Easter Day) it will be exactly Shielding The most vulnerable patients will have received a six months since Kath and I moved to live in Beaumaris and letter from Dr Frank Atherton, the Chief Medical Officer in Bro Seiriol. Normally, when getting ready to celebrate Easter Wales to say that these patients need to stay at home for 12 in a new place, I would do something rather unusual on Holy weeks from when they receive the letter. This is to protect Saturday. But I won't tell you what that is just yet! them and to reduce the chance of them coming into contact This year Easter, will be very different for many of us: no going with the Coronavirus. Local volunteers from the Seiriol Good away for the extra-long Bank Holiday weekend to see family or Turn Scheme can help with collecting prescriptions and having people to stay. delivering groceries. etc.
We are aware that this is an anxious time for all and we would I will miss leading services in church over the whole of the Easter period, from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday, as well like to stress the importance of keeping yourself safe and healthy during this time. as the Easter Vigil (a traditional early morning service, which we’d planned for at 5.30am in Penmon Priory on Easter For up to date government guidance please go to morning). There’s something magical about coming to worship
www.gov.wales/coronavirus in the dark of night, and celebrating Easter as the sun rises and dawn breaks.
But what I’ll miss most of all is telling the story of Jesus and SOME WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN HELP YOUR the first Easter in Jerusalem: how Jesus shared a meal with PHARMACY his friends and washed their feet as a sign of total humility; Do not visit a pharmacy if you or someone living with you how he wrestled with himself about what was about to happen has a temperature or a new cough. to him; how he was betrayed, arrested, tried and then Order your prescription 7 days before you need them to exchanged for a convicted murderer; how he carried his own give the pharmacy time to help everyone. cross to the place where the soldiers erected it for him; how he Do not call the pharmacy unless it is very urgent. died and was buried, and on the third day came back to life in a new way. Allow a week for your prescription to be processed before contacting the pharmacy. I shall also miss the children in church on Easter morning,
If you are staying at home because you have a new cough or excited at the thought of chocolate in numerous guises, and temperature: adults – who spend the rest of the year trying to persuade them not to eat too much chocolate – suddenly being totally Get friends or family to pick up your prescription for you, relaxed about all the chocolate that is to be had! or Speak to your pharmacy to see if it can help. On my first Easter in a new place, in the 'sermon slot', I always invite some young people to the front, and we start to play The staff in the country’s pharmacies are working very hard to 'catch', not with the chocolate egg, but with some real eggs! help people to get the medicine that they need. The look of horror when I take an egg out of an eggbox and
start throwing it around gently is glorious! At the same time, I’d
be talking about the story of Good Friday and Easter morning, BE NICE TO SURVIVE, LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER how Jesus’s friends went to the place where he had been
We won’t see anyone socially beyond our own household for buried. As I get to that point, I take another egg from the box, months. Those living alone may not see anyone in person, so throw it in the air and catch it myself. Then, to everyone’s we will have to rely entirely on different media, often surprise, l break it open in front of them. They’re expecting it to electronic, to maintain social contact. Telephone, e-mail, video make a mess; the day before, however, Holy Saturday, I’d and written social media will be vital as we use it much more been busy 'preparing' the egg so that when I crack it open in during lockdown to help sustain our mental health and front of the young people and congregation, like the tomb on overcome feelings of isolation, so, it’s really important that we the first Easter morning, it’s empty. It’s a surprise and it puts a nurture a positive social media culture and try to avoid posting smile on everyone's face. things that are likely to inflame others or make them feel more Jesus's resurrection to new and eternal, everlasting life in isolated. Heaven brings hope for all people; and this year, in the We all need to be resilient to what we see on social media. confines and frustrations of our homes and the present More generally, official sources will be better places to learn situation, we need the hope and joy of the resurrection more facts than something sounding plausible that’s been shared than ever before. from an unknown source: these can be misleading and A happy and blessed Easter to each and every one of you. dangerous. Equally, think about the effect on others of what you share or post: the issue may be real but will your post help Canon Robert Townsend to resolve it, or will it just spread worry and increase stress? Vicar of Bro Seiriol
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