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!

Safe sites for Coronavirus information

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

Safe information from from other bodies

Advice from Citizens Advice Bureau Rother District

Advice from East Sussex County Council

Advice from Rother District CouncilAdvice from Rother District Council

Advice for those registered on the Shielded Group

1. When someone registers on the shielded list it is Central Government, not East Sussex County Council (ESCC) that arranges a food delivery.
2. ESCC contact the individual(s) and check the package is suitable etc., and whether they have other needs.  They can provide an alternative food parcel e.g. dietary requirements, non-food essentials etc.
3. If there are multiple people involved, i.e. living in the household – they will look to respond for the whole household.
4. ESCC have also been providing food for the week immediately after someone registers with the Government scheme and there is not a clear delivery date, so that they are not short in the initial period.  This may result in some double deliveries.
5. The ongoing food delivery is, for the vast majority of people in the shielded group arranged by Central Government and undertaken by a private company.
6. ESCC can always check if someone is registered on the scheme from the data they are sent, but they have no way of changing that data in any way, either adding on or taking off individuals, or change the support they have asked for.
7. Queries with regard to the shielded group food delivery can be directed to Food.Delivery@eastsussex.gov.uk or by calling 01273 481242.

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 –

1. The individual has no means of getting their medication through local support.
2. The individual asks ESCC to do this rather than continue using the local network.

SHOPPING

Click on this link for supermarket information

Food shops operating in Rother during this emergency

Planning – Rother District Council

Click on the link below to see the latest information from Rother District Council Planning Department.

RDC Planning information during this emergency

Mountfield Parish Council business

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.

The Adventures of Alfie

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

 

 

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.

Safe websites for information

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.

Doctors

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)

Dentists

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

Vets

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.

The Best of Us

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!

Scams

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

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

The Adventures of Alfie

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)