HAMBRIDGE & WESTPORT NEWSLETTER December 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
It has been almost 12 months since the first confirmed cases of this virus occurring in the UK were reported and I am sure that we are all thoroughly fed up hearing about it. The news of the successful efforts to create vaccines have given hope that we will soon be able to return to some sense of normality, whatever the ‘new’ normal turns out to be. Until this time it is important that we follow the government and NHS advice and all do our bit to minimise the spread of the virus and to keep each other safe. The possible relaxation of some of the measures over the Christmas period will bring with it higher risks of transmission and we must all ensure that we continue to be vigilant, particularly when we may be in contact with the elderly or vulnerable.
Whilst we know that many people who contract this virus may only feel mild effects, there will be people in our community who more adversely affected. Aside from the physical threat of the virus, the lockdown measures have contributed to the feeling of isolation and sense of loneliness that some may already be feeling at this time of year. If you know of vulnerable neighbours, perhaps you could drop them a note asking if they are okay. Do they need anything from the shops? Do you have their next of kin’s number in case of emergency?
Contact cards are available at the shop for individuals who wish to offer more local help to their neighbours. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help - there is also a list of people within our villages who have offered to help during this difficult time - this can be found on the noticeboards and the website. www.hambridgeandwestport.org
A wide range of key information relating to the Coronavirus is available on the South Somerset District Council Website: www.southsomerset.gov.uk/coronavirus
From October the monthly meetings of the Parish Council have changed to every second Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm. These meetings are currently held by video conference and are open to the public. Should you wish to attend any of the meetings please email the clerk ([email protected]) for details of how to participate.
The PC have committed to fund the printing costs of a newsletter as we feel that it is an excellent way of communicating PC discussions or views with our community and to convey the latest news, build relationships, highlight upcoming events and help to create a greater community spirit.
You may have noticed that the last copy of the Newsletter was some months ago. We are currently seeking anyone who would be willing to assist in the production of the newsletter or help our existing group of volunteer distributors to ensure that we have a regular edition, with a range of content that would appeal to all our residents. If you would like to find out more about this opportunity to contribute to our community, please contact Simon Denley on 01460 281340.
Page 1 of 8 St James the Less
Christmas Greetings from St James the Less Parish Church. We can't guarantee our church being open for Christmas services that have always proved so popular - that is down to the government and the steps they consider necessary to keep us all safe.
What we can guarantee is that the birth of a Saviour who would show the world how to live and love is always worth celebrating in whatever way we can. His message of goodwill and kindness to our neighbours is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago.
Please note that through this current lockdown, the church is open on Wednesday mornings for private prayer.
We are praying that we will be able to hold our Christmas services this year although final confirmation of what can go ahead is yet unknown.
Under the current understanding if we can hold services, we do have to limit numbers to ensure social distancing is adhered to. All services this Christmas would have to be pre-booked unfortunately. We will not be opening bookings until 5th December as we then might have further guidance on what is going to be allowed.
To book tickets please contact:
Christingle services Kate on 01460 281300
Carols on the green The shop
For all the other services Gill on 01460 282913
The following services are currently planned (SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION):
• Sunday 13th December Holy Communion 11.00 • Tuesday 15th December Isle Brewers Carol Service 7pm • Friday 18th December Carols on the Green at 6.30 pm led by Vincent Carrington followed by mince pies and mulled wine • Sunday 20th December Family service Christingle 9.30am • Thursday 24th Christingle at 3pm • Christmas Day Communion will be held in Isle Brewers at 9.30am
When you book the Christingle this year please let us know how many Christingles you will require. Christingle packs will be made up and need to be collected 2 days before the service, inside the pack will be everything that is needed to make your Christingle to bring to the service.
If you do find time for a quiet moment over Christmas, just look up in the night sky - you may just hear the echo of the angels singing (even if we are not allowed) and see a bright star. These words come with our very best wishes for a peaceful and meaningful Christmas - not from the 3 Kings, but from Phil, Phil, and Gill (vicar, curate and churchwarden)
Volunteer Needed: Are you any good with numbers? The parish council are looking to find someone with the right skills to carry out a quarterly audit of our accounts. Perhaps you are a retired accountant or someone with book-keeping experience, who can spare a few hours every 3 months to independently inspect the accounts? If so, please contact Simon Denley on 01460 281340.
Page 2 of 8 HAMBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
At Hambridge Primary School we have been adapting well to all of the changes we have faced due to the COVID-19- 19. We have new systems in place for lunchtimes and playtimes and the children have all been fantastic. They are a real credit to their families as they just get on with things so well. School has felt like a happy and safe place for us all and the children are used to their 'new normal'.
We have been thinking about the men and women who sacrificed their lives for us during wars and conflict and the children have been making wreaths and writing poems. On November 11th 2020 the children held their own 2 minute silence. If you have time please take a walk past the school and read the poems the children have written.
We are all looking forward to Christmas and although we will have to do things a bit differently, we will make it as exciting and magical for the children as possible.
We are still looking for volunteers to help us with some basic maintenance, if you are able to spare a few hours - and of course, we will now have to wait until after lockdown before taking up any offers of help. If you can offer us some help please call 01460 281370 so we can give you some more information.
Warm regards
Sharon Chapman Headteacher Hambridge Primary School
Census 2021 will provide a snapshot of modern society
Households across Hambridge & Westport will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021. The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.
It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets. “A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.
“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.” Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.
The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity. Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations. For more information, visit census.gov.uk.
Page 3 of 8 Hambridge & Westport Recreation Trust (HWRT)
The HWRT committee continues to meet regularly via video conference. The use of the village hall has been adversely affected due to the past and current restrictions imposed. When permitted, use of the hall has been in accordance with guidelines set by the relevant bodies.
On a positive note, the HWRT have used this quiet period to make a number improvements to the hall. Over the years the flooring in the main hall has suffered and although it has been repaired a number of times, these repairs have only provided a short term fix in an attempt to minimise disruption. During the summer months, the floor became so badly damaged that it was no longer safe to use, as you can see from the photos below. Therefore, it was decided that a more thorough repair would be required to ensure that we can continue to enjoy the beautiful parquet floor for many years to come. This involved the painstaking work of lifting, cleaning and preparation of the individual blocks from the damaged areas before relaying, sanding and sealing.
I think you will agree that the result is fantastic and a huge thank you to all involved for your efforts in returning this floor to its former glory.
The main hall skirting boards and doors have been painted and a new frame created to house the gym mats
The entrance hall has also enjoyed a make-over and we hope to have this area carpeted in the New Year.
CCTV A joint initiative to install a state of the art CCTV has been funded by the HWRT & the Parish Council. The CCTV has been installed in and around the Hall to improve general security and to safeguard all users.
HWRT AGM The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held on Monday 7th December at 7.30 p.m. by video conference. This meeting is open for all to attend. If you would like to participate, please contact Simon Denley by email [email protected] for details on how to join the meeting. The committee are always looking for new members and ideas to for fundraising for your Hall & community etc.
We look forward to welcoming you all back to use and enjoy the Hall as soon as restrictions are lifted.
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The Curry Rivel, Hambridge and Drayton Food Bank Christmas Appeal.
Many of us will perhaps be enjoying a somewhat different Christmas this year, and I obviously hope it will still be a peaceful and fulfilling time for all in our community. However, this edition of the newsletter gives me an opportunity to remind all readers that the work of our villages’ Food Bank is continuing and the needs of some in our community become even more stark at this time of year.
I thought it may be interesting to share several statistics around our volunteer work. The Food Bank has been operating now since the end of April, and we have been thrilled to receive financial donations in excess of £5,000, over and above so many food and other necessary items that are freely given each week.
As a group we are so grateful to those who have donated (and a number of our people support us on a very regular basis). Please remember that every financial donation (however small or large) goes totally into supplying food and other necessities for our clients. No administrative or other costs are taken as those of us who volunteer give our time and energies freely in terms of buying items and then also receiving food that is so kindly donated and also preparing, packing and delivering the food boxes every Wednesday and Saturday.
We believe over this period we have prepared approaching 350 food boxes for our clients, and everyone has been so gratefully received. The majority of our clients are family households, but not exclusively, so each box is often vital to several persons.
As I prepare this report, the group who volunteer has committed to continue the work for at least the next six months, and we are seeking to put this work on a more formal footing and we shall be sharing more information on that in the near future.
You will have noticed that we are known as the Curry Rivel, Hambridge and Drayton Food Bank and that is because we really do work across all three villages. Some of our core group of volunteers are from Drayton and a central part of our team. In addition, we are supported every week with regular donations from Hambridge, through our valued collection point at Hambridge Village Stores. It is a chance here also to thank Grace at the Village Stores who has organised a reverse advent calendar for us to take place throughout December.
The support of local business is really important to us, and I have previously expressed our huge gratitude to the lovely teams of staff both in Curry Rivel One Stop and at Hambridge Village Stores for all they do for us. Our work is spreading too, as this month we were very grateful to receive support from Black Sheep Butchers in Langport.
We believe the needs of our clients may well increase over the Christmas period, so every donation of items of food or money will be so gratefully received. We remain open to receive these every Wednesday and Saturday (12 noon - 1 pm) pre-Christmas up until and including Wednesday 23rd December. We hope we may be able to provide extra Christmas treats for those who need assistance at this time to make the holiday a little more special for them.
Happy Christmas from all who volunteer at the Food Bank, we very much appreciate your support. I believe it really does show the strength of community spirit in our villages.
Steve Allinson
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The Lamb & Lion
We are looking forward to welcoming all our customers from Wednesday 2 December. As per the government guidelines for tier two, you may only dine with members of your household and alcohol can only be purchased with a substantial meal Please call 01460 281774 to make a reservation Our famous roast dinners will be served on Sundays 12-2.30. Tables are booking fast, so reserve yours now. We look forward to seeing you soon
Hambridge Village Stores & Post Office
Three years ago we started Hambridge Village Stores, I would just like to say a massive thank you to all our loyal customers that have supported us throughout. We have made some lovely friends and I can honestly say although it's been tough it's been fun as well!!! We will definitely celebrate with you all as soon as we can. With only weeks till Christmas we are already busy with orders for our hampers, so if you would like to place an order for one of our beautiful local produce hampers then please get in touch to secure yours as soon as possible
Village Website
The Village Website is funded by the Parish Council and has recently undergone significant changes to ensure compliance to regulations and standards. If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment to have a look.
www.hambridgeandwestport.org
Our aim is for the website to provide a central source of information about our community including information about the villages, the Parish Council, the various village organisations and useful contacts. It is hoped that the website will provide a ‘one stop shop’ for any information relevant to our community and we would welcome any feedback positive or negative, to help us to achieve this.
IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC CONCERNS OR ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT ANY OF YOUR PARISH COUNCILORS WHO WILL DO THEIR BEST TO HELP
Councillor Contact Telephone No. Email
Simon Denley 01460 281340 [email protected]
Jennie Lock 07944 208419 [email protected]
Richard Maidment 07818 855150 [email protected]
Paul Masters 01460 281207 [email protected]
Richard Meecham 01460 281775 [email protected]
Louise Brooks 07791 561426 [email protected] (Clerk)
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Bonfires, Compost, Environment and Hedgehogs
An open letter from people in our community
Bonfires are legal, but there are rules, which if not adhered to, mean they can be anti-social, distressing for those with health problems, dangerous for the environment and wildlife.
Respiratory problems such as COPD, brittle asthma and now Covid-19 and Long Covid are among the ‘hidden’ health issues. Bonfire smoke can result in sufferers being admitted to hospital, in severe cases it can be life threatening. This also puts additional pressure on NHS resources.
If a bonfire is deemed necessary, PLEASE be considerate and follow guidelines. • Tell neighbours that you are going to have a bonfire so that they can close their windows and check there's no washing hung out • Avoid burning during the day, especially if windy– late in the evening is best and don't leave a fire smouldering • Use dry material only • Don’t burn tyres, cables, plastics, rubber, painted products or household waste
Composting and Compost Bins We are fortunate that there are recycling centres and kerbside collections which will take garden waste if we don't have space for a compost bin. Making and using compost is the cornerstone of gardening, the finished product is rich, dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling. Garden, kitchen waste, paper and cardboard can all go in the compost bin. Around 40 percent of the average dustbin contents are suitable for home composting so it helps cut down on landfill too.
Community Compost Bins are in The Clump and can be used for garden waste. Soft green materials like grass clippings and annual weeds, should be layered with woody brown material like clippings and dead leaves in equal amounts. Brash can be placed against the fallen tree and unwanted plants beside the bins. Environment and Wildlife Well, we don't need to tell you about the catastrophic damage that human activity is causing to Planet Earth. We are all responsible and we can all change our habits to improve the lives of others. So, be an untidy gardener, small piles of logs, leaves and clippings will give homes to insects and small animals, feed birds and provide nesting material. THE HEDGEHOG is one that suffers horrendously, thousands are killed every year by vehicles, garden machinery, netting, pesticides, rubbish, unguarded pools and BONFIRES! Back to where we started. PLEASE, be a good neighbour and consider others.
Page 7 of 8 Some Local Wildlife News
By now hopefully we're all used to seeing Little Egrets around? Now there is a new kid on the block which hopefully we shall soon get used to seeing - Cattle Egrets! Over the last few years, a small colony has bred locally just North of us around the marshes and reedbeds at Westhay. With their numbers being swelled by more colonists from the near continent all the time, there has lately been flocks of 150+ feeding around cattle and horses at Catcott Lows, Mudgeley, and out on Tealham Moor just North and West of Westhay Reserve. This week a local photographed one here between Barrington and Westport feeding around cows ankles.
How to tell the difference between Little and Cattle Egrets? Little Egrets are slim and elegant like Herons with black bills and legs and banana yellow feet, Cattle Egrets are shorter necked and legged which makes them look squat in comparison, with pale yellow/pinkish bills and legs. Little Egrets are often solitary and hunt wet shallows in marshy areas, whereas cattle Egrets are often in groups around the legs of livestock, picking flies off their faces and anything else their feet disturb, so are mostly on rough dairy and sheep fields with animals.
When I was a boy, the only members of the 'Heron' family in the U.K. were Grey Herons and a hand full of rare Bitterns in the Norfolk fenlands - the only time we would see any Egret species was whilst watching 'Daktari' and African wildlife documentaries, riding on the backs of Zebra and Wildebeest etc. Now with global warming you lucky people live just 30 minutes or so away from one of the biggest wetland reserves in Europe - the 'Avalon Marshes', West of Street and Glastonbury - Catcott, Shapwick, Ham Wall, and all the flat areas of rough grazing in that region, spreading West to the Parret Estuary and Stert. Now instead of just two members of the family we also have breeding Little Bitterns, Night Herons, Great White Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets, Cranes from the locally centred re-introduction project all around us, and in another ten years or so maybe Spoonbills, Purple Herons, Glossy Ibis and White Storks ??? One more thing - the now well-known Starling roost at Shapwick and Ham Wall has started with numbers building, but with Covid about, the RSPB have asked folk not to attend as up to a thousand people have been attending to see the murmurations over fine Christmas days. Less well known is the early morning eruption of Starlings en masse when the whole lot,(up to two million birds), rise as one from the reedbeds and fly off in all directions to feed - the 'ripple' of birds radiating from
the roost fly over Hambridge and Westport currently about 7.55 a.m., and will be seen as straggly horizontal lines of birds coming over your gardens in three or four waves, on fine days higher, and on windy days skimming you rooftops as they were this morning !
Many thanks to our resident naturalist Cookie.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year
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