Issue No 502 May 2020 The Slate in difficult times We would like to thank the Slate delivery team, who have been joined by some new volunteers, without whom this edition would not have reached you. Our thanks also to Windrush Press for working in these difficult times and printing the Slate as usual. However without the amazing contributors there would have been nothing to fill this issue, so a big thanks to them as well. As would be expected this issue contains more advice and useful contacts to deal with the issues created by Covid-19. There are also many items expressing appreciation for help that has already been given. Clearly sports, clubs, schools and cultural events have had their activities restricted but many have gone ‘online’ to keep people engaged. An example is Oxford Art Weeks which will be entirely digital in May 2020. There is also good news from Stonesfield Pre-School, Stonesfield Primary School and others to cheer us all up. We have also included new items such as a children’s story, writing challenge (supported by Stonesfield Primary School), crossword and more. We hope you continue to find the Slate both useful and entertaining. May 2020 Stonesfield Slate 1 Important note In view of the current Coronavirus COVID-19 advice, any events are liable to change or cancellation. We strongly suggest you check with the organisers of all events. For this reason we have not included a diary in May’s Slate. The diary will return when restrictions on gatherings have been lifted. The information on Covid-19 was up to date at time of printing but is liable to change. Please follow the latest government advice, available on www.gov.uk/government/ topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response For more links to useful phone numbers / websites about Covid-19 and how to look after yourself and the community go to www.stonesfield.online Support local businesses The Slate is funded by the advertisers you find on these pages. To ensure they keep going you are asked to support them where possible. As well as ensuring we have a thriving community you will be helping continuation of The Stonesfield Slate Publishers Editor for June issue Copy: Diane & Paul Bates, Trish Williams Deadline for next issue 15 May Waterloo Barn, Laughton Hill, (891960) Please email copy to Stonesfield, OX29 8DY [email protected] [email protected] (898841) or contact the Editor. [email protected] Editor Printer Advertising: Trish Williams Windrush Press, Witney Deadline for next issue 10 May (891960) Advertisements to [email protected] ©TheStonesfieldSlate 2020 slate-ads@stonesfield.online Current and past copies of The Slate available at www.stonesfield.online/slate 2 May 2020 Stonesfield Slate 24/7 mental health helpline This makes it quicker and easier for people in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to get the right advice they need for their mental health. For adults 01865 904 997 For children and young people 01865 904 998 Other useful numbers West Oxfordshire District Council: 01993 861000 Oxfordshire County Council: 01865 792422 Stay at home Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire: 03444 111 444 ñ Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work Age UK Oxon Free Telephone Support: 01865 411288 from home) Witney and West Oxfordshire Foodbank: 01993 890000 ñ If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times Volunteer Link-Up: 01993 776277 ñ Wash your hands as soon as you get home Samaritans: 116 123 ñ Do not meet others, even friends or family. Talking Space: 01865 901222 You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. Mind UK: 01865 247788 Shelter: 0808 800 4444 Debt Advice (Stepchange): 0800 138 1111 Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111 Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 Find more information at www.stonesfield.online/covid-19-information/ If you think you have a neighbour who might want help, then fill in and cut out the card below. Then pop it through their letterbox ñ Don't be pushed into making a decision. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. ñ Only purchase goods and services from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information. ñ Don't assume everyone is genuine. It's okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. ñ If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious for request for money up front. ñ If someone pressurises you into accepting a service, they are unlikely to be genuine. ñ If you are unsure, check with friends and family before accepting offers of help. May 2020 Stonesfield Slate 3 24/7 mental health helpline This makes it quicker and easier for people in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to get the right advice they need for their mental health. For adults 01865 904 997 For children and young people 01865 904 998 Other useful numbers West Oxfordshire District Council: 01993 861000 Oxfordshire County Council: 01865 792422 Stay at home Citizens Advice West Oxfordshire: 03444 111 444 ñ Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work Age UK Oxon Free Telephone Support: 01865 411288 from home) Witney and West Oxfordshire Foodbank: 01993 890000 ñ If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times Volunteer Link-Up: 01993 776277 ñ Wash your hands as soon as you get home Samaritans: 116 123 ñ Do not meet others, even friends or family. Talking Space: 01865 901222 You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms. Mind UK: 01865 247788 Shelter: 0808 800 4444 Debt Advice (Stepchange): 0800 138 1111 Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111 Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 Find more information at www.stonesfield.online/covid-19-information/ If you think you have a neighbour who might want help, then fill in and cut out the card below. Then pop it through their letterbox ñ Don't be pushed into making a decision. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. ñ Only purchase goods and services from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information. ñ Don't assume everyone is genuine. It's okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. ñ If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious for request for money up front. ñ If someone pressurises you into accepting a service, they are unlikely to be genuine. ñ If you are unsure, check with friends and family before accepting offers of help. 4 May 2020 Stonesfield Slate Coronavirus updates Kindness is contagious too We have made an arrangement with the Stonesfield Mutual Aid is our community Co-op in Long Hanborough to take orders group that has been set up to help and payment by telephone for those who Stonesfield residents in need during the are vulnerable, elderly or self-isolating and Covid-19 outbreak. We recognise that which can then be collected by volunteers. everyone is at risk of being affected by this Please contact Kate Harris for details of pandemic, but that a pandemic doesn't hit how to register for this service. everyone equally. That's why we're Kate is also able to provide details of other organising to support the most vulnerable, suppliers (for example greengrocers, including the elderly and those with pre- butchers, wine cellars, providers of ready existing health conditions or anyone in meals, tea and coffee merchants) many of urgent financial need during the outbreak. whom will deliver. We can help by assisting with shopping Please ask if you need help in complete errands, collecting prescriptions, confidence. We will find a way to support information distribution or checking in you. with regular phone calls. We can also provide access to foodbanks. Nobody For help, contact any of us in complete should go hungry at this time. To support confidence: Sharon Acum (07766 424088), this we are raising funds via Just Giving Deanna Asplundh (07956 905610), David where all funds raised will go directly to Baldwin (07957 497513), Kate Harris the residents who need it most. (898781) and Kate Maroney (898235) or join our Facebook group (search for www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/david- Stonesfield Mutual Aid.) baldwin-3?utm_term=B5WxjbyEVe Thank you to all of those who have already donated and to Stonesfield Parish Council for their grant. STONESFIELD VOLUNTARY TRANSPORT SCHEME May 2020 Stonesfield Slate 5 Notices & news Simon Haviland editing / proofreading the final text. Later, A thoughtful, gentle gentleman, Simon the Havilands were publishers of the Haviland will be missed by many, now that Stonesfield Slate for nearly 15 years. Simon he has ‘put his hand into the Hand of God, was a calm and level-headed back-up for … [and been] led towards the hills and the the occasional difficult issues that arose, breaking of day.’ (From his funeral order of yet always worked as a team member, service – part of a verse by M.L.Haskins.) seeking consensus on final decisions. Years Simon died at the end of March, just four ago, he also served as a Parish Councillor. days short of his 85th birthday. When seeing Simon and Jenny out walking Simon knew about words. He had worked their little dogs, we’ve always enjoyed in publishing for Phaidon Press, and took chatting for a moment or two. Now it will the skills of editing, designing and just be Jenny and one dog, but Simon will publishing into his retirement.