For all previous Parish Council Coronavirus updates please select the Covid-19 Category on the News Page of the Westbury Website https://westburysubmendip-pc.gov.uk/category/covid-19/
Relaxing the lock down
This week has seen the first steps towards relaxation of the lock-down allowing people to meet outdoors in groups of up to six individuals from different households. There are however continuing constraints such as the requirement to maintain a two metre distance and not to visit other people’s houses except in very limited circumstances. Since the message is now more complex than simply ‘stay at home’ we are including a link to the latest edition of ‘what you can and can’t do’ from the government. It is here https://tinyurl.com/uwt2nes.
Playgrounds and playing fields
One of the things we still can’t do is use playgrounds or outdoor exercise equipment which causes difficulty in respect of our own playing fields. The playing fields committee has reluctantly concluded that it cannot comply with the clear instruction to close playgrounds without closing the whole field, though is keen to reopen as soon as it is allowed. They say:
The reasons for closing in the first place – the inability to safely close off the necessary areas (climbing apparatus, swings, slide, skateboard ramp etc) – are still valid, even with the slightly relaxed social distancing guidelines.
The general playing field area and MUGA – Multi Use Games Area (ie Tennis/Basketball/Netball court) can’t be reopened because the playground apparatus, which is a major “shared-touch” area and could lead to cross contamination and contravenes the current social distancing conditions, can’t be independently closed off.
The intention is to re-open the whole premises at once as soon as permission is granted at national level.
The committee is also committed to continuing expenditure to keep the field in good condition at the same time as its major sources of income (Glastonbury Festival and the Quiz) cannot take place. A statement from the committee explaining the position and suggesting how you might help them remain viable is here.
Helping other communities
Although we cannot access the playing field we are fortunate in being surrounded by open space so that everyone can enjoy exercise outdoors. This is not true for all communities however and Emma Giffard is appealing for resources to help an inner city community in Bristol. Emma writes:
Hi all – a friend of mine is a playworker in East Bristol. All the facilities for the kids have been shut for months now. She works with extremely deprived families, where the kids have been stuck indoors in flats with no gardens, in really difficult situations.
There have been lots of knock-on effects such as the closure of charity shops, where people might normally get clothes and toys. She’s collecting resources to distribute to hard hit families – I’m asking for donations on her behalf. The place she works is a registered charity.(https://www.felixroad.uk/)
I’m going to put a box outside my house (Red Lion on Free Hill in Westbury) if anyone has items they can donate. She is asking for: Resources for children aged 6-12, Books especially welcome, Good quality clothes and Toys – but please only good quality and donations by Wednesday morning please
On-line exercise
As an alternative to exercising in the park some people have taken to on-line activities which happens to be the subject of our latest poem of the week – A sonnet to on-line exercise by Chris Harris. It is here.
New pub take away menu.
Finally a reminder that the new take-away menu from the village pub is available on the Westbury Website or from the pub on 870402
Sue Reece (870618) Mick Fletcher (870531) on behalf of the Parish Council