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Newsletter 12 June 2021 Rural Links with the Village Agents

Contact us: 01275 333 700 or [email protected]

Welcome to our June issue. We hope it finds you safe and well.

It's been lovely to see some of you face to face over the last month. As restrictions continue to ease, we are busy planning new events and activities to support you and your wellbeing. Village Agents are also available to you and able to resume home visits, so do get in touch if you need any help, suport or advice.

Shining Lights in the

The annual B&NES Community Awards were renamed this year to honour those who have given exceptional service to their community during the pandemic.

There were many deserving nominations, and two local winners were announced, both of whom will be familiar to many of you. Sam Oliphant and the Chew Chat volunteers were recognised for their tireless support of over 70 older people from the very start of lockdown. The group had already become a focal point for fun activities and new friendships, but when all that ceased, the volunteers stepped up to Denise says “They have been there through ensure people were safe, fed and not forgotten. the snow and rain from early in the morning until the last patient leaves. Always with a welcoming smile and reassurance. They The second award of the night went to our very have been amazing as has Philip Edwards own Denise Perrin and the 80 volunteers who who came onboard to provide the vital stepped up to provide essential outdoor support technical support to keep things on track” at the Vaccination site. Most recently, 900 people a day have been going through the site for their second dose jabs. Well done to Denise and all involved.

Village Agent News We are delighted to welcome a new Village Agent to the team. Michael Auton will be covering Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and Paulton.

Walk this Way! Walks coming up include: Our first walks have been – level paths hampered only by the Monday 7th, 14th & 21st June, unreliable weather. Seven 11am walkers joined Ketyn and Aly Norton Radstock Greenway for a stroll along the Norton Tuesday 8th June, 1.30pm Radstock Greenway before the rain came. If a planned Wells, Bishop’s P alace walkway walk is postponed due to Thursday 1st July, 11am Nordic Walking Tasters - bad weather a new date will Maxine Denham will be be arranged (the walk Folly Farm – circular accessible offering taster sessions in leader will call you on the path July. Nordic Walking is an morning of the walk). Thursday 8th July, 11am enhanced walking technique that uses poles to work your upper body as well as your legs. It gives you a highly effective all over workout that doesn’t feel like one! Look out for more details in next month’s newsletter.

Liz and Philippa will assist anyone who has Focus On... been affected by stroke or TIA. It might be that you just need a quick phone call with some practical advice or maybe you want to join one of the support groups they run, returning soon to Midsomer Norton. The team also work with partner organisations If you or someone you care for has had a to respond to people’s needs – some of their Stroke or TIA (a temporary disruption in the current activities include golf for stroke blood supply to part of the brain) the effects sufferers and watercolours for wellbeing. can be devastating. Changes to speech or physical ability can happen in a matter of seconds and leave lasting effects on If you think you or someone you care for confidence and quality of life. Thankfully, help would benefit from support from the Stroke is available. Association, please contact your local Village Agent direct or call 01275 333 700 Liz Jeggo and Philippa Gordon of the Stroke and leave us a message. They also hope to Association work locally to support people and join us at the Route 60+ events in July and their carers from hospital through to home and September. beyond. Support can be emotional or practical. Liz has a passion about helping people affected by asphasia – a language disorder that can affect people’s communication skills, but crucially not their intelligence. Around one- third of people who have had a stroke will end up with this disability.

There is even the Bath Asphasia Choir, as a peculiarity of the condition is that people who can’t speak can often still sing. Liz and Philippa with a service volunteer.

Behind the wheel with confidence: Route 60+ Events

Confidence in driving can be a problem as you get older, and the recent lockdowns haven’t helped – it’s quite likely that you’ve been driving much less than usual, or possibly not at all since last March. Are you thinking you might just not drive again? Maybe the real cost of running a car doesn’t seem worth it any more?

Then again, the reality of not driving and losing independence becomes a strong reason for With their help and expertise you can get some keeping the car going, despite the anxiety that tips, ask any question but above all, come may cause. The most important thing is that away feeling more reassured about driving. You you are safe and feel as confident as you can. can also discuss whether stopping driving is the best for you, but make that as an informed

decision. One way to achieve this is to attend a Route 60+ event, dedicated to supporting older With support from the Police Trust Road Safety drivers to keep driving for longer; safely and Fund, the Village Agents will be hosting Route with confidence. Council’s Road 60 + events in our rural areas from July. These Safety team have been running these events are free events open to all and will include a with great success and with thanks from chance to meet other organisations that may grateful drivers. The Road Safety Team say: also be helpful. You don't have to be over 60 “There is no safe age to stop driving. Our Route and you will be welcomed with a hot drink. 60+ programme is designed to help drivers Confirmed dates are: continue their driving career for as long as Tuesday 20th July at the Somer Centre in possible.” Midsomer Norton The session addresses issues such as how Monday 20th September at Conygre Hall, vehicles have changed over the years, how our Timsbury. own driving habits have changed, and how we Doors open at 10am for browsing and the can update our skills. seminar begins at 11.30am.

What's On...

Restarting next month: Support Timsbury Reminiscence Group Group 11am-12noon at 1.30-2.30pm at The Hub, Chew Valley Support Group Farmborough Village Timsbury & Extend exercise class Hall Thursday 1st July 11am-1pm at Thursday 17th June & Memorial Hall Alison is looking forward to 15th July a chat and hearing your Wednesday 2nd, 16th, 23rd & memories 30th June

(Pavilion Room being used for Sight Loss session on 9th June; Extend as usual) Wordsearch: British Birds Coal Tit Raven Coot Redstart Crane Robin Cuckoo Rook Curlew Ruff Eider Smew Golden Eagle Snipe Gull Swift Jay Teal Merlin Tern Osprey Twite Quail Wren

Directory: Mobile and Community Libraries Chew Valley Library (formerly known as Bishop The Hub Library in Timsbury is currently open Sutton Library) is open Thursdays 2-4.30pm and Mondays and Thursdays 2-4pm and Saturdays Saturdays 10am-12 noon 10-12 noon. From June 21st they intend to open The mobile library is also back on the road, but additionally on Tuesdays, 2-4pm with a new timetable. All stops are visited fortnightly:

Route 1 – Monday June 7, 21 Route 2 – Tuesday June 8, 22 Route 3 – Wednesday June 9, 23 , Village Centre Pensford, Memor ia l Hall Wellow, Village Hall 10.00-10.30 10.00-10.30 10.00-10.30 , Ring O'Bells , Telephone Box Combe Down, Mulberry Park 10.40-11.10 10.40-11.10 11.00-12.00 , Village Hall Camerton, Village Hall 11.20-11.50 11.40-12.10 Newton St Loe , Currell Buildings Tunley, Overd ale 12.30-13.00 12.20-12.50 12.20-12.50 Route 4 – Thursd ay June 10, 24 Route 5 – Friday June 11, 25 Route 6 – Monday June 14, 28 , Molly C lose , Village Hall Combe Down, Hawthorn Grove 10.00-10.30 10.00-10.30 10.00-10.30 , Goldney Way Combe Down, The Firs 10.50-11.20 10.45-11.15 11.00-12.00 , Pine Court Clutton, Station Road 11.50 – 12.20 Odd Down, Upper Bloomfield Road 11.30-12.15 , Mill Lane 12.15-12.45 12.35-13.05

Route 7 – Tuesday June 1, 15, 29 Route 8 – Wednesday June 2, 16, 30 Route 9 – Thursday June 3, 17, July 1 Farmborough, The Street Batheaston, London Road East 10.00-10.30 10.00-10.30 Freshford, Village Hall Farmborough, Hobbs Wall Bathford, Dover’s Park 11.00-11.30 10.35-11.05 10.45-11.15 Bathampton, Holc ombe Lane , Rotcombe Newbridge, St John’s Almshouses 12.00-12.30 11.20-11.50 12.00-12.30 Farrington Gurne y, Hill View Newbridge, Brassmill Lane 12.25-12.55 12.45-13.15