Apologies - in the last paragraph I thanked Dallington local volunteers instead of Mountfield ones. I have called on our Mountfield volunteers for help quite a few times and each time they have stepped up to the plate.
So grateful thanks and appreciation to all those in Mountfield who have helped out.
Irene - Parish Clerk
We started the UK lockdown on 23.03.20 and it was extended by 3 weeks on 16.04.20 and nobody seems to have any idea of where we are all going after that. Let's hope there is some positive news soon, but I don't think we will be able to live our normal lives for some months yet.
I'd like to thank Jane Clark - Parish Clerk/RFO at Westfield - for her great work in pulling lots of information together and sending it out to the Rother Clerks Group - she has been magnificent!
Click on this link for coronavirus information from the NHS
Click on this link for coronavirus information from GOV.UK
Click on this link for advice on dental matters from the NHS
Advice from Citizens Advice Bureau Rother District
Advice from East Sussex County Council
Advice from Rother District CouncilAdvice from Rother District Council
ESCC are also calling the individuals on the shielded group to check if they need additional support. However, if there is support in delivering medication in place through local systems, i.e. volunteers through a local scheme or via the parish councils, it is likely that this will stay in place. Therefore, ESCC will only be taking over the management of a shielded person when either -
Click on this link for supermarket information
Food shops operating in Rother during this emergency
Click on the link below to see the latest information from Rother District Council Planning Department.
RDC Planning information during this emergency
As with all parish councils in Rother, we are dealing with essential business only. We have 2 planning applications - both posted on this site - and will respond via our delegated authority. I am currently preparing the year-end accounts (AGAR) at 31.03.20 and will soon be "delivering" them to our internal auditor. It will be very different this year as we cannot meet up - it is always a positive thing to meet up with your internal auditor who is completely neutral and not involved with the parish council at all. It is a great opportunity to discuss systems and how the RFO deals with "the money." I've had some great advice from internal auditors over the year. This year I'll have to drop off the finance documents with our auditor and we will deal with any queries by email.
Well, we have had the great nail cutting drama - he was actually very good (no screaming)! I only took a tiny bit off his claws and will probably have to look at them again in a couple of weeks. His coat is getting longer and longer and he is starting to look like Denis Healey! I am gearing myself up for his "home-made" grooming session, I've had a look at all the videos on the web, but the groomers are professionals and all the dogs are incredibly well behaved, I can't guarantee Alfie's behaviour, although his groomer says he is always very good - I'll let you know all about it shortly.
We've been walking the beautiful Dallington Forest nearly everyday, it is very quiet and we only meet a few people - we all stand back and carefully observe social distancing.
We did the Millennium Walk at Heathfield today, as we had to pick up Freddie's prescription from the Heathfield Surgery. Very beautiful and only met a few walkers (with their dogs) - all very civilised.
I seem to have lots of plates spinning in the air at the moment and must settle down and get on with things. The parish council work is a very good thing for me, as I have to get it right and there are deadlines. My broadband is all over the place at the moment - people working from home, school children working at home and everyone streaming, it has taken me about two hours to get this post together, but then, everyone is in the same boat. My knitting has been put on hold, I don't really feel like it at the moment. I have three pairs of socks on the go and really must take a deep breath and get on with them. It is usually a relaxing hobby for me, as you have to count the stitches on each needle (rather Zen) -breath!
Sincere thanks to everyone who is helping us at the moment, not forgetting our Dallington volunteers. Look after yourselves.
Irene - Parish Clerk
Mountfield has a new planning application.
RR/2020/425/P Selton, Hoath Hill TN32 5LL - single-storey side and rear extensions and render existing ground floor brickwork.
Deadline for responses is 12.05.20
Click on this link to see full details on the RDC planning website
This application will not be considered by MPC at a meeting, but a decision will be made using delegated authority.
If you wish to make any comments, please go directly to the RDC planning website - the link is above.
Mountfield has a new planning application.
RR/2020/310/P - Holly Lodge, Eatenden Lane TN32 5LP
One stable (retrospective).Click on the link below to see full details on the RDC planning website.
Deadline for responses is 05.05.20
Click on this link to see full details of the application on the RDC planning website
This application will not be considered by MPC at a meeting, but a decision will be made using delegated authority.
If you wish to make any comments, please go directly to the RDC planning website - the link is above.
We still have no end in sight and just have to carry on with our new "normal," but we have glorious weather and there is a soft greening on our trees and hedgerows.
Click on this link for coronavirus information from the NHS
Click on this link for coronavirus information from GOV.UK
Click on this link for coronavirus information from Rother District Council
Click on this link for coronavirus information from East Sussex County Council
Both the Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council websites have Community Support sections.
If you need to see or contact your GP during this emergency, please check their website or phone first. I've added links to the surgeries I know about in Battle and Heathfield.
Click on this link for information for the Martins Oak Surgery (Battle)
Click on this link for the Oldwood Surgery (Battle)
Click on this link for the Heathfield Surgery (Heathfield)
Its seems that most dental surgeries are completely closed during this emergency. There is some information on the NHS website (link below). -
Click here for information about dental issues from the NHS
Like our GPS, vets are only dealing with emergencies, although I understand they are still doing the final jabs for puppies and kittens. Check their website and phone first.
It goes without saying that our heartfelt thanks go to all NHS workers and every one of those essential workers who are keeping our lives as normal as possible. I would also like to say a massive Thank You to those Mountfield residents who have volunteered to pick up essential supplies/prescriptions for those who must not leave their homes. A resident contacted me about helping our super Postmen by leaving our gates unlatched, this is a great idea - but obviously not if you have small children or pets!
Be extra vigilant at this time - just put the phone down or delete the email. There's some good advice on the Age UK website, the link is below.
Click on this link for scam advice from Age UK
1. Sainsburys (all Sainsbury shops)
Monday to Saturday 0730-0800 priority for NHS workers (will need ID)
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 0800-0900 priority for the elderly, keyworkers and the disabled.
2. Co-op (Heathfield and Battle)
Monday to Friday 0800-0900 priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.
3. Waitrose (Heathfield)
Monday to Saturday 0700-1000, first opening hour is priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled. They are also giving NHS workers priority at the checkouts.
4. Local shops (ring first)
Netherfield Stores and Post Office - 01424 838589
Rushlake Green Village Stores - 01435 830381
The Old Orchard Village Shop - 07969 778985
Zero Heathfield - 07391 490098
Eggs to Apples - 01580 860566
Venison and Lamb meat packs - 07780 707006
I'm afraid Alfie is in disgrace. We went to our field yesterday and as usual he was just trundling around. He managed to put up a pheasant and I don't know who was more frightened - the pheasant or Alfie as his natural prey is a small beetle. I took my eyes off him for a moment, looked around and the Little Grotbag was on his back rolling in fox poo! I'm not normally precious, but I cannot live with with the smell of fox poo in the house. So it was straight home and into a bath for him. He's nice and clean now, but is beginning to look like a failed attempt at Build a Bear. We haven't had the great nail clipping project yet, but it will be very soon.
Last Christmas my son bought Alfie the biggest dog chew he could find. Alfie couldn't believe his eyes when he saw it. He walked around it for a few minutes and you could almost hear his little doggie brain thinking - "is it really all for me?" He managed to pick it up, tried to get it through the door to the kitchen and had to work out for about 10 minutes just how to do it. That hurdle overcome, he then tried to get it up the stairs, all we could hear for most of Christmas morning was the crashing and banging of all the failed attempts. It is now in three pieces and he still guards it vigorously against the BAD KITTENS!
It's going to be a very different Easter for all of us, with Christmas, one of the turning points of the year. I'm not religious, but understand the importance of this time of year to those of all faiths - it is the most important celebration of the Christian year, Passover for those of the Jewish faith and Ramadan starts in late April. It is so sad that our churches, synagogues, mosques and temples are closed.
I can only wish you all a Happy Easter, staying safe and looking after one another.
Irene (Parish Clerk)
I've had a few queries about how you can contact your GP during this emergency and how you can arrange a necessary visit and/or renew prescriptions.
Links to the Martins Oak Surgery and the Oldwood Surgery are below and these will give you full details.
Click on this link for the Martins Oak Surgery website
Click on this link for the Oldwood Surgery website
If you know anyone that does not subscribe to this website and probably uses one of the above surgeries - can you please let them know of the changes.
Irene (Parish Clerk)
No real end in sight yet - all we can do is to stay safe and look after each other safely.
SAFE WEBSITES FOR INFORMATION
Be careful, lots of very dubious information out there, the following sites are safe
Click on this link for coronavirus information from the NHS
Click on this link for coronavirus information from GOV.UK
Click on this link for information from Rother District Council during this emergency
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES/INFORMATION
Dallington Parish Council cannot be responsible for any information held on this site, but it is generally thought to be a reliable source of financial information, particularly during this emergency.
Click on this link to go to Money Saving Expert
THE BEST OF US
Grateful and sincere thanks to everyone out there who are working endlessly to keep us safe and our lives as normal as they can possibly be - all who work in the NHS, the carers, all the keyworkers, all in the emergency services, the military, all the shop assistants, the food bank volunteers and all those in essential jobs. You have our heartfelt thanks.
AND THE WORST
They are always out there and scammers will take the opportunity of this emergency to to try to defraud, upset and generally increase the levels of anxiety. If you get any emails (I've had a couple) asking for money, threats, the old "click on this link" request or any email that you feel is not genuine - DELETE! DELETE! DELETE! - a safe website for advice is the Police's Action Fraud site, the link is below
Click on this link to go to the Police Action Fraud website
SHOPPING
1. Sainsburys (all Sainsbury shops)
Monday to Saturday 0730-0800 priority for NHS workers (will need ID)
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 0800-0900 priority for the elderly, keyworkers and the disabled.
2. Co-op (Heathfield and Battle)
Monday to Friday 0800-0900 priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.
3. Waitrose (Heathfield)
Monday to Saturday 0700-1000, first opening hour is priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled. They are also giving NHS workers priority at the checkouts.
4. Local shops (ring first)
Netherfield Stores and Post Office - 01424 838589
Rushlake Green Village Stores - 01435 830381
The Old Orchard Village Shop - 07969 778985
Zero Heathfield - 07391 490098
Eggs to Apples - 01580 860566
Venison and Lamb meat packs - 07780 707006
CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEATHFIELD
They have gathered together a big group of volunteers from all the Heathfield churches and are happy to help you if you are self-isolating and can also put you in touch with other local volunteers. Their numbers are - 01435 863786 and 01435 864646.
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!
A young astrophysicist, Dr. Daniel Readon, was trying to invent a device to stop people touching their faces. He ended up in hospital with magnets stuck up his nose! Every mother reading this probably rolled her eyes and thought I've got one like that - good brain, but no common sense - I know I have. However, full marks Dr. Daniel for trying. There's a link below to the Guardian article.
Click on this link to see the Guardian article about Dr. Daniel Reardon
THE ADVENTURES OF ALFIE
He's very bored and missing his woodland walks as we've decided to just exercise him in the field behind our house. I've just looked out of our window and there are no fire-breathing sheep in the adjacent fields - so he should be safe. We are going to have to bite the bullet soon and clip his nails, not looking forward to it, but will have to be done.
Stay safe all of you, look after yourselves and each other.
Irene - Parish Clerk
East Sussex Highways are starting their spray patching programme today (01.04.20). Their wonder machine can fix permanently up to 200 potholes per day.
The link below will give you details about the roads they will be working on and how the patching machine works.
Click on this link for details on ESCC Highways Spray Patching programme
I've just had another email from Ann-Marie Cross - Jane has very sadly died, but not from coronavirus. It was a very bad line when we spoke last night.
Irene - Parish Clerk
I have had some sad news from Ann-Marie Crosse - Jane Sherwin has died from coronavirus.
Many of you in Mountfield, Brightling and Dallington will remember Jane as a teacher and also vicar of All Saints, Mountfield.
I have no more details, but you can get in touch with Ann-Marie on 01424 838504.
Irene - Parish Clerk