The Bell Tushingham, Macefen & Bradley Parish Magazine FEBRUARY / MARCH 2021 Welcome Writing this in mid-January, it already feels like a lot has happened in 2021. I hope that you are staying safe, enjoying some fresh air (maybe even a snowman?), and are able to look ahead to brighter days in the Spring. The theme of snow has drifted into the February/March magazine, along with the usual sprinkling of wildlife, local enterprise and community news, advice and resources. An interesting mix of items and contributors is always welcome, so if there is something you’d like to share please send it across – by 19th March – for the next issue. Thank you Take care, Juliet 01948 820343; [email protected] Local contacts Parish Chairman, David Young OBE 01948 861461; [email protected] Parish Clerk, Wendy Kay 0790339996; [email protected] Ward Councillor, Rachel Williams 01948 860627; [email protected] Eddisbury MP, Edward Timpson 01829 733243; [email protected] Local police, PCSO Jon Hurst Calls to 101 (non-urgent); [email protected] Report It To report any Council-related issues or to track progress, visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/contact-us/report-it/report-it.aspx Alternatively, you can use the reporting App, and log a report in four simple steps: 1) Pinpoint the location on the map; 2) Take a photo of the fault; 3) Select a category and provide more information; 4) Submit Search for ‘Cheshire West and Chester’ in your Apple/android app store. TM&B Parish Meeting Another year and another lockdown but a Happy New Year to you all nevertheless! The only business I have to report is to make you aware of the Council’s current waste management consultation. If you wish to give your views on how it manages recycling and waste services then please do so online at: https://participatenow.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/waste- strategy-consultation, before 18 March. I do hope this finds you all well during this rather depressing period, but if you need help that cannot be offered by neighbours then please do not hesitate to ask. The next Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 26 April at 7 pm and at this rate it may well be conducted remotely again on Zoom. In the meantime, as they say, stay safe. David Young OBE, Chairman (01948 861461) Home Watch Local coordinator for TM&B, Steve Egan: [email protected] – note new e-mail address. If you are not yet registered, you are encouraged to contact Steven directly to receive his Home Watch e-mail updates. Community helplines Live Well in West Cheshire (information on local services and support): https://livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ Malpas Food Hub: 01948 860627 / www.facebook.com/MalpasFoodBank. Local urgent mental health helpline (Cheshire NHS): 0800 145 6485 (open 24/7) MIND helpline: 0300 123 3011; Age UK Cheshire: 01606 881 660 . 1 Police Community Support PCSO for Tattenhall and Malpas PCSO Jonathan Hurst [email protected] Beat Manager Rural South, PC Steve Gardner [email protected] Dragon Hall Police Station, Whitchurch Road, Chowley, Tattenhall CH3 9DU Tel: 101 (non-emergency); Facebook: Tattenhall & Malpas Police; Twitter: ThallMalpasPol; Web: cheshire.police.uk/a/your-area/cheshire/ cheshire-west-and-chester/tattenhall-and-malpas/ Please note – due to the current COVID-19 restrictions all face-to-face police surgeries and meetings are postponed until further notice. COVID vaccine fraud As of 7 January 2021, Action Fraud had received 57 reports from members of the public who had been sent text messages claiming to be from the NHS, offering them the opportunity to sign up for coronavirus vaccinations. Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: “Remember, the vaccine is only available on the NHS and is free of charge. The NHS will never ask you for details about your bank account or to pay for the vaccine. If you receive an email, text message or phone call purporting to be from the NHS and you are asked to provide financial details, this is a scam.” Protect yourself: You can only be contacted by the NHS, your employer, a local GP surgery or pharmacy, to receive your vaccination. Remember, the vaccinations are free of charge and you will not be asked for a payment. Also, the NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home to administer the vaccine, or ask for documents to prove your identity, such as a passport or utility bills. If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you are suspicious about an email you have received, forward it to [email protected]. Suspicious text messages should be forwarded to the number 7726. If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, please report this to Action Fraud as soon as possible on 0300 123 2040 or at www.actionfraud.police.uk. 2 Winter driving: advice from Cheshire police Even experienced motorists can struggle while driving in UK winter conditions. So, before the worst of the weather hits, now is a good time to step back and think about how you drive. Don’t drive too close It’s harder to stop when there’s surface water, ice or snow on the ground. Focus on maintaining several car lengths between you and the vehicle in front – and ignore any drivers behind you that might try and ‘pressure’ you to close the gap. Gears and acceleration Using a higher gear and slower speed in slippery conditions helps tyres gain more traction and allows you to maintain more control over your vehicle. If you encounter deep flood water and have no alternative route, keep your car in a low gear and the revs of the engine up – this helps maintain momentum when travelling through the water. Poor visibility Turn your sidelights or headlights on and slow right down, driving well away from the car in front. If there is a safe place to pull in, you might want to wait for things to improve. Keep your windows clear It’s tempting to set off when your windows still have snow or ice on them. However, not only is this unsafe, it is illegal! Use an ice scraper and de-icer to clear your windows. Winter emergency kit You might want to keep the following in your car during the winter: blankets, a torch, a shovel, water, ice-scraper and de-icer, boots, reflective clothing and a mobile phone charger. A word about black ice Black ice gets its name because it is so transparent that it looks like the rest of the road. As black ice is difficult to spot, you should take extra care when driving in freezing temperatures by driving slowly and keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and others. If you do hit ice on the road, 3 tips to remember are: 1. Keep your hands on the steering wheel; take your foot off the accelerator. 2. Don’t slam on the brakes, remain calm and let your vehicle pass over the ice. 3. Steer gently into the skid, e.g. if the rear of your car is sliding to the left, then you should also steer to the left 3 St Chad’s Church News A letter from Archdeacon Mike Gilbertson Dear Friends, I am writing this message to you in the season of Epiphany – these weeks after Christmas when the church celebrates how Jesus came to be the Saviour of the world. Epiphany begins on 6 January when we remember the wise men coming from far away to bring gifts to the infant Jesus – showing that he came to bring God’s love for all nations. It’s also a time of year when Christians reflect on their calling today to make the love of Christ known in their communities. Of course, just at the moment, life feels very hard, as we work our way through a third Covid lockdown. Vaccinations are on their way, and the amazing staff in the NHS are working wonders, but for many it still feels a dark time. So the Epiphany theme of the light of Jesus Christ shining out in love and justice is really something to hold on to this year. During Rev’d Veronica’s absence, two very active local retired ministers, Alex Sanders and Mike Rogers, have been providing support to the three parishes, especially at Marbury and Tushingham. Alex and Mike will be stepping back from this role at Easter because of other commitments, though they will still be expecting to help out on a more occasional basis. We are hugely grateful to them for all they have done at this challenging time. As Alex and Mike step back, their place will be taken by Karen Andrews, currently the curate at St Philip’s, Kelsall. Karen will be seconded to work alongside the churchwardens and lay ministers in the benefice. Just as Alex and Mike have been, Karen is an additional resource for the parishes, and I hope very much that you will welcome Karen when she arrives around Easter time. I pray that despite illness and lockdowns, the three parishes will continue to bless the local communities they serve, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. An Epiphany prayer: God of all mercy your Son proclaimed good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed: anoint us with your Holy Spirit and set all your people free to praise you in Christ our Lord. Amen. Archdeacon Mike 4 A word from Rev Mike Rogers… In my mind, patience is inextricably linked with waiting.