TM Emsworth Residents’ Association THEEMS Community Newspaper In this issue First published in 1977 Winter 2021 Christmas p16 Town Centre Improvements Remembrance Day p17 p20/21 Third Lockdown fears Covid vaccinations have started in for the local economy Emsworth We are now in the third period of Lockdown which will be reviewed on 15 February. Words by Theo Schofield Coronavirus infection rates are rising and we face a bleak winter, especially for many of our Eleven general practices in our area are working together in their local businesses. Havant had the highest Coronavirus infection rate in Hampshire with 729 Primary Care Networks to mount a huge effort to carry out a mass cases per 100,000 (w/e 4 Jan). Yet only a few weeks ago things seemed to be picking up. Coronavirus vaccination programme. Emsworth Baptist Church is one of the centres they are using, and total of 1,066 patients were One step forward Back into full Lockdown for the third time vaccinated there on 22 – 23 December. They have also started to Lockdown 2 which closed non-essential businesses in Faced with rising infection rates and new strains of the virus vaccinate care home residents and staff. Practices are contacting Emsworth from 5 November 2020 until 2 December 2020 the whole of England entered Lockdown as from 6 January patients by telephone to arrange vaccine appointments. was lifted when the Havant BC area was placed in Tier 2. 2021. It is now more important than ever for us to support Please do not telephone your practice to ask when this will be. This enabled our shops, cafes and restaurants to re-open. our local businesses. The essential shops have remained Vaccinations are being offered first to priority groups who are open since the pandemic began back in March 2020. These more likely to need hospital admission: care home residents, those Two steps back shops have lost some of their trade customers as cafes, with other conditions, and older people. It will also be given to care This brief period of respite ended on Sunday 20 December pubs and restaurants have had to close. Some hospitality home workers and NHS staff. It will then be offered to younger when Havant (including Emsworth), was placed in Tier 4 businesses are trying to keep going by offering takeaway people so that we can all look forward to being able to live more which meant that all non-essential shops, pubs, cafes and and delivery services. This may not be the same as going out normally again. restaurants had to close except those that offer takeaway for a meal but by using these services we can support our services. much loved eateries and try to ensure that they will be able to re-open when things return to some sort of normality. The Coal Exchange Julia and Lawrence, Fat Olives The Bluebell Fish & Chips van Help is available Emsworth Alliance Volunteers are available to help those residents who need support. Many people have moved to internet shopping, prescription delivery and local shopping. Emsworth Alliance also offer deliveries from a range of local shops. https://emsworthalliance.co.uk email [email protected] Tel: 07563 831810 Emsworth Good Neighbours Darbar Driftwood Café Martyna and Gary, 36 on the Quay Emsworth Good Neighbours are a long established local A good example of a pub trying to keep going is The Coal which is parked outside of the restaurant from 12 noon – 7 voluntary group who can help with collections of prescriptions, Exchange, South Street which is offering traditional Sunday p.m. daily (up to 5 pm on Sundays and Mondays). Darbar shopping and medical appointments. roasts for collection or local delivery every Sunday lunch- offer a full takeaway service every day lunchtimes and eve- Tel: 01243 430999 times from 12 noon to 2.30 p.m. The meals cost a very nings. www.royaldarbar.co.uk Others reasonable £10.95 (£6.95 for a child’s portion). To order ring Taste of India and Spice Village offer takeaways but Havant Borough Council offers support to residents 01243 375866. Nicolino’s is closed. Most of our cafes are open for takeaways www.havant.gov.uk/support-vulnerable-people Fat Olives offer a delivery and collection service on Fridays as are our existing Fish and Chip shops, Chinese and other and Saturdays, see website for full details www.fatolives. takeaways. The Blue Bell has its fish and chip van which is Hampshire Coronavirus Support and Helpline continues to co.uk 36 on the Quay have their much acclaimed Food Truck open from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. register vulnerable people who need support. 0333 370 4000 Page 2 www.emsworth.org.uk Winter 2021 Emsworth Residents’ Association Chairman’s Report Words by Theo Schofield, Chair of the Emsworth Residents’ Association Why do I support the ERA? Many of the cards we received while demand for their services has Words by Chris Hallam, ERA committee member this Christmas also wished increased. us a Happier, Healthier New Emsworth is very fortunate I am Chris Hallam and have served in the army for many years, latterly on Year, and I would certainly in the number of groups, as- Thorney Island where I ended up as the Station Staff Officer. I still retain like to extend that wish sociations and clubs that in my links with the Island where I am the Chair of Governors of the excellent to all our readers. 2020 normal times provide oppor- primary school, and have been for over 10 years. Rachel and I moved to was difficult for so many tunities for so many people people in so many ways. to meet, learn new things and Emsworth 23 years ago and, having moved 18 times previously, we are Not being able to see keep active. They have had to reluctant to move again. and socialise with family learn how to work within the After being invited to join the ERA support from the Commodore of the and friends, anxieties about restrictions on meeting, and how committee one of the first things Slipper Sailing Club this group of jobs and businesses, disrupted to keep in touch with their members that I was involved with was happy, dedicated volunteers run schooling and the underlying anxiety with Zoom and newsletters. the bus shelter refurbishment. a number of fundraising events about the risks of the infection, to name just Many groups have continued to work This was erected in the 1950s during the year that are well a few. on our behalf, including those concerned by the Royal British Legion as supported by the town. Rachel It is important for us to recognise all those with our environment such as Emsworth in a functional War Memorial. The and I make full use of the brilliant who have been working so hard to keep Bloom, despite suffering some vandalism, roof was covered in moss and Community Centre that provides everything they can going. These include and the Friends of Long Copse Lane fighting when I started to clean it off, along over 60 clubs and activities for resi- not just NHS staff, carers and general prac- for that development to be removed from with some soldiers from the Island, it dents and have made many friends. tices, but also our council workers, teachers, the Local Plan. became obvious that the roof needed to be I am primarily responsible for looking after police and all the others who have kept their Finally we shouldn’t forget the EBA and replaced. Lorraine Clode and Brendan Gibb- all associated transport activities within the services running for us. ERA who built the Lobster Pot Tree, lit the Gray stepped in and when I returned from ERA and am happy to field any questions There has been a massive effort by volun- square and spread angels around the town holiday they had arranged for a new roof and that do arise. I feel privileged to be able to teers in the community, from those working for Christmas. appropriate transcript and photos in place. contribute to the town by being a commit- for the Alliance delivering prescriptions and Next year will be very different. I have sailed for many years and looked tee member of the ERA, along with all of food to those who are isolated, to those who Vaccinating all high risk people will sub- after the Royal Artillery offshore yachts the other volunteers. Emsworth is a vibrant have being keeping an eye on their neigh- stantially reduce admissions to hospital so it was an easy decision to join the local community and is an excellent place to live bour. Our churches have also to find new and save lives, while vaccinating the general RNLI fundraising team. Along with fantastic and to be part of. ways of keeping contact and support their population will create “herd immunity” (an congregations. unfortunate term), so that it will be safe to The businesses in the town have had move and meet freely. Achieving this will be varied fortunes. Our food shops have re- a huge effort for the NHS and our general From the Archives 15 years ago - The Ems, January 2006 mained open, and have earned our loyalty practices. • The lead story was about the intended closure emsworth-action-plan-2007- by the services they provided. Our pubs I hope we will not forget all those who of the Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital. (The hampshire-county-council ) hospital was reprieved and finally closed in 2013. and restaurants have had to adapt with have helped us get through last year and • Work started on the skate It has now been converted into our new Doctors’ park at Emsworth Recreation social distancing and takeaways, while retain the community spirit that has sus- surgery and will be opening soon) Ground.