Coronavirus update 3 (24.03.20)

Now more than ever we must look after each other and at the same time make sure we are keeping ourselves and our families safe.

HELP AND CONTACT IS AVAILABLE
I have a list of Mountfield people who are willing and able to do a bit of shopping, collect medication, walk your dog.  Please do not hesitate to contact me – Irene (Parish Clerk) 01424 838414/email – [email protected], if you need anything.
Phone your neighbours and friends, chat over the garden fence (keeping a safe distance away from each other, (2m is the recommended safe distance).
If you’ve never tried it before, use the link below to see how you can “video talk” to your family and friends – it’s a BBC website and safe.
Click on this link to see how to video call your family
There will be a fair number of Mountfield people who do not look at this website and do not have an internet connection.  If you know of any, can you please make sure they get this information.
Mountfield Parish Council are arranging a leaflet drop for every household.

LATEST INFORMATION
The sites below are safe for current information.
Click on this link for NHS information on coronavirus
Click on this link to see the latest information from Central Government
Click on this link for latest information from BBC News

BEWARE OF SCAMS
1.  Do not open your door to anyone saying they are from the “health services” and have come to test you for coronavirus.
2.  Immediately delete any email you have concerns about.  Your bank, HMRC etc., will not be contacting you about coronavirus.
3.  Keep all your devices software updated and use decent virus software.
Sometimes i despair how evil some people can be during such a crisis, but then I look at all the offers of help and how communities are looking after each other and feel a lot better.

SHOPPING
We can go out to get essential supplies and medication.  I’ve been doing (with some help from Jim Gray – Dallington Councillor) some investigation into local shops/opening hours/priorities for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.
1.  Sainsburys – Heathfield (applies to all Sainsburys shops)
Monday to Saturday 0730-800 priority for NHS workers (will need ID).
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays – 0800-0900 priority for the elderly, keyworkers and 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 priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.  They are also giving NHS workers priority at check-outs.
4.  Netherfield Stores and Post Office – will deliver and are always very helpful.
5.  Rushlake Green Village Store – 01435 830381, email – [email protected]
They will deliver, minimum spend £25.00, no delivery charge, payment by cash on delivery.  They will also bring items outside the shop for you to collect.
6.  The Old Orchard Village Shop – 07969 778985, will deliver, no minimum spend, no delivery charge.  Will also bring items out to the car park for you to collect.
7.  Zero – Heathfield (unpackaged/bulk/refillable food products and household products).  See their Facebook page for more details.  Phone – 07391 490098.  You can collect at the shop.
Click on this link for the Zero Shop home page
8.  Eggs to Apples – phone 01580 860566, email – [email protected]
They look to deliver to a number of people at one time (will need coordinating) and everyone will pay individually.  Minimum £10.00 spend, no delivery charge, will phone to arrange payment and will shortly be setting up an on-line order form and payment facility.  They will bring items out to the car park for you to collect.
Click on this link to go to the Eggs and Apples home page
I’ve been trying to find sensible information from Jempsons in Battle – I know they are doing priority orders as the other supermarkets, but cannot find any definite information at the moment.
If anyone in your household is self-isolating due to experiencing coronavirus systems – please advise the delivery driver as they will need to take extra precautions.  You are also advised to limit contact with delivery drivers, get them to leave bags outside your door, don’t use an electronic signature device and wash your hands immediately after putting shopping away.
Mountfield Parish Council advise that you contact any of the organisations above before actually going there and find out from them what their current policy is – it is possible that this could change rapidly.

THE ADVENTURES OF ALFIE
He’s got a big grin on his face at the moment – he was due for grooming today, but very sensibly his groomer has shut up shop for the duration.  He’s going to look like a miniature Yeti in a few weeks!  Freddie and I will have to wrangle him into the shower or get in with him.

HOW ARE YOU ALL FEELING?
It’s a very strange and anxious time for us all.  Things are so quiet, I look out of my windows and there are no lights on in the Swan, we’ve lived opposite the Swan for over thirty years and it’s so strange to see it darkened.  Things are so quiet at night – very nice in a way – but different.  Wonderful night sky and no planes to be seen.  A great website for aircraft nerds is –
Click here for the flightradar23 website
It seems much quieter than normal.
I’ve been an insomniac all my life, just think Miss Haversham in a red, fluffy dressing gown!  I’ve been wandering around the house at 3am (this is quite usual for me), making myself cups of tea, playing with my iPad (thinking seriously about playing Skyrim again).  So what am I doing – knitting socks (I’m an expert), reading (a compulsive one), so thankful for my Kindle and I’ve just re-read all the Polity series by Neal Asher – any other Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans out there?  Maybe I’ll get my embroidery out again (stealth boast again, I’m an expert).
Let me know what you are all doing, hobbies, reading – this could be a great conversation during this emergency.  I can publish them and redact all your contact details.

Look after yourselves and stay safe.
Irene (Parish Clerk)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coronavirus update 2 (22.03.20)

I hope you are all keeping well.  I’ve had lots of offers from volunteers (including a dog expert!) to do shopping/collect medication etc.  I’ve also noticed that friends and neighbours are really looking out for each other.  I’ve compiled a list of volunteers (still coming in) – so if you need any help, please, please contact me – 01424 838414 – [email protected]
The NHS are sending out information to those most at risk, telling them to totally self-isolate – so our kind volunteers may well be needed soon.
Just a reminder – only take advice from trusted websites/information.  You can trust the links below
Click on this link to see the latest information on coronavirus from the NHS

Click on this link to see the latest information on corona virus from Central Government

Click on this link to see the latest update on coronavirus from BBC News

PARISH COUNCIL BUSINESS
All parish councils are in “limbo” at the moment, but most business will go on.  As you are probably aware the village hall is officially closed during this emergency.  It is a legal requirement that all parish council meetings are held in public and virtual meetings are illegal.  We are waiting for instructions from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) and hopefully virtual meetings will be allowed during this emergency.
Planning applications – we have delegation system for these to be responded to outside of meetings.  I will continue to post all applications on this website, with full links to the particular application on the RDC planning website and ask that if you wish to comment, go straight to the RDC planning website.
General Mountfield issues – please continue to contact me via email if you have concerns about enforcement, road conditions, flooding, footpaths etc.

We took Alfie for a walk in Darwell yesterday, we walk him 2 or 3 times a week there, and for the first time in 30 years I had trouble parking the car – it was absolutely packed.  A lovely walk and met a few people dog walking.  Everyone was very sensible, except the dogs who have no idea of personal space!

Alfie at 9 months old
Here’s Alfie when he was 9 months old, looking very scruffy before his first grooming!

Look after yourselves and stay in touch.
Irene (Parish Clerk)
01424 838414 email – [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

Mountfield Village Hall closed

As a result of the Corona virus the Mountfield Village Hall Committee have been left with little choice but to close the village hall until further notice.
Many of you have already contacted me and cancelled your bookings, however for those of you that have not please take this as your notice of cancellation. Hopefully we will be able to reopen later in the year, and I will contact you when we are in a position to do so. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Alison Sarson
Mountfield Village Hall Committee
[email protected]

Corona Virus update 1 (19.03.20)

Hello everyone, I hope you are staying well and listening to Government advice.  Please keep in touch with your neighbours and friends – phone, email, WhatsApp, Facebook etc.
I have had an offer from a very kind couple in Mountfield to help those in the Mountfield community who may need it.  Please contact me, by email or phone, and I’ll put you in contact with them.
If you would like to help, doing a little shopping, collecting medication etc., please contact me – 01424 838414 – [email protected]
Your details will not be published on line and deleted when the crisis is over.

I went to Tesco at Ravenside (Bexhill) today – a complete waste of time.  Empty shelves everywhere, no potatoes, fresh veg, eggs, milk, butter, frozen chips etc.
However, the Netherfield Stores and Post Office is its usual bright and friendly self, they have good stocks and very sensibly are limiting the amounts people can buy. Several kind locals have  offered to help them out with deliveries.  Click on the link below for details (they also make great coffee!)
Netherfield Stores and Post Office

Irene (Parish Clerk) – 01424 838414, email – [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

Battle Area Community Transport suspending all bus services

Due to the current Public Health Situation and following Government Guidance, Battle Area Community Transport have taken the decision to suspend all our bus services until further notice. This decision has been taken to protect our volunteers and the wider community. We regret the inconvenience this causes our passengers.

Click on the link below to see full details
BACT Suspension Notice 18.03.2

New planning application for Mountfield

New Planning application for Mountfield –
RR/2020/251/P Old Park Pale, Mountfield Lane – retrospective planning for garden wall and replacement entrance gates, wall heights 2m or less when groundworks completed.
Click on the link below to see full details on the RDC planning website, where you may support, object or just leave a general comment.
Click on this link to see full details of the application on the RDC planning website

Please note that during the current emergency, Mountfield Parish Council will not be holding planning meetings.  All planning decisions will be made using the delegated authority of the Clerk.

STOP PRESS! Mountfield Parish Assembly Cancelled

Due to the current situation with Corona Virus, regretfully Mountfield Parish Council are cancelling the Parish Assembly that was due to be held on 14.04.20.
Very shortly I will be publishing information and help on Corona Virus, particularly how we can all help and look out for each other in this emergency.
Irene – Parish Clerk
01424 838414
[email protected]

STOP PRESS! Mountfield Parish Assembly 2020

Due to the current situation with COVID-19 (Corona Virus), Mountfield Heath School cannot host the Mountfield Parish Assembly this year.  We completely understand their reasons – they have vulnerable children there and school closures may be imminent.  Hopefully they can host the Assembly in 2021.
The Mountfield Parish Assembly will now be held on 14.04.20 in Mountfield Village Hall.
I and other Rother Clerks are waiting for information from Rother District Council (due next Monday) on parish council matters affected by the Corona Virus.
This website will become the conduit for local information on the virus, please encourage people to sign up for email alerts/pass the information on if you can.
Irene – Parish Clerk