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Category: Education

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Day 63 of (un?) Lockdown – the Old Church edition

Old Church circa 1880

Tower of JewelsDay 63 of (un?) Lockdown

The main news item for day 63 is an update on the Old Church renovations followed by a few updates from our government, and some fun at the end.  But first, we have a tall story from Annie Neish.

For those of you who are unable to cruise the village she thought you would like to see the Echium Pininana Tower of Jewels flowering beside the fence of the allotment on New Church Road.  Several years ago John had one on the plot next to her so she knew it might be possible.

A quick search on Wikipedia reveals this plant is native to La Palma in the Canaries where it is endangered due to habitat loss (Laurel forests).  Fortunately, it is being cultivated quite widely in the British Isles and Northern California so should have some resilience.

St Mary’s Old Church

Agreement about the best way forward following the discovery of the wall paintings was reached just as the Coronavirus put us all into lockdown. The work can now continue. Continue reading “Day 63 of (un?) Lockdown – the Old Church edition”

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Day 59 of (is it?) Lockdown – the eCargo edition

eCargo Bikes

Day 59 of (is it?) Lockdown

Day 59 sees updates from CBC, ECC & HMG:

Continue reading “Day 59 of (is it?) Lockdown – the eCargo edition”

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Day 56 of (is it?) Lockdown – the Mental Health edition

Social Distancing for kids China-style

Kindness mattersDay 56 of (is it?) Lockdown

If you’re feeling mentally frayed these days, day 56 sees the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.  We start with that and then address:

Mental Health Awareness Week

The theme this year is all about “Kindness Matters”, something we are already seeing a lot of during the COVID-19 crisis. Continue reading “Day 56 of (is it?) Lockdown – the Mental Health edition”

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Day 51 of Lockdown – the Monty Python edition

Day 51 and Monty Python

Monty Python kicks us off on day 51.  I’m afraid this video reminded me a little of some of the daily briefings we are getting.

Today sees the first day of softening in England, how was it for you?  We start with a few government updates – quite a lot came out today; those included here are most relevant to members of the public.

More Government Guidance

Some more guidance updates to ease our way into the common-sense world of soft lockdown, apologies if some of these appear repetitive or, at least, covering the same ground: Continue reading “Day 51 of Lockdown – the Monty Python edition”

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Day 48 of Lockdown – the Round Tuit edition

A round tuit

A round tuitDay 48 of Lockdown

Webmaster is easily amused by wordplay and on day 48 I was reminded of an old jokey jibe “Are you a Lert?  Didn’t you know there is a national shortage!”  I can’t imagine why; my other favourite was the “I’ve got a round tuit.”

So, the connection here is to the round tuit and two sources of things you can get around to doing during the lockdown.  Some from CBC and others from the WWF.  Finally for today, The Sound of Sirens (a parody song)

Some Ideas from the WWF

This week we’re sharing tips on how to grow vegetables indoors, an escapist reading list, details of our awesome Earth School initiative and an exciting isolation photography competition! Continue reading “Day 48 of Lockdown – the Round Tuit edition”

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Day 29 of Lockdown – The Homeschool Edition

Emergnecy Foodbank FundDay 29 of Lockdown

Day 29, four weeks under our belt, and who knows how many more to go?  The main news item today is the expansion of Home Education support including a remote laptop scheme.  Other news items include:

Online Education Resources

Essex County Council is supporting a government campaign to help families access online educational materials. The Department for Education (DfE) recently announced further support for schools, families and young people during the current school closures.

Oak National AcademyThis includes the launch of Continue reading “Day 29 of Lockdown – The Homeschool Edition”

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Day 1 of (Soft) Lockdown

Day 1 - Play Equipment ClosedDay 1 of (Soft) Lockdown

As you might imagine, as we sit here in our homes on Day 1 of a relatively soft lockdown, advice and news keep flowing.  This update summarises some of the most relevant:

  • Allotments remain open to plot-holders who can access them ‘for exercise purposes’ once a day.   Observe social distancing!
  • CBC has suspended Garden Waste collections, read more below.
  • Bonfire Warning, read below.
  • Parks closed and use of play equipment not permitted by Government Order.
  • Halls are also closed unless:
    • they are being used to host pre-schools being kept open for key workers, or
    • designated as emergency centres.
  • Charity Commission & Government advice on charity employees.
  • If you are an older person, living alone, and generally feeling the need for support then The Silverline is a useful resource.  The Silverline also offers advice on protecting yourself from COVID-19 and is open 24 x 7.
  • It has been agreed nationally that all VE Day celebration due to be held in May are to be postponed.  It is possible they will be held in August near VJ Day.
  • Concerts by Resonate Choir and Comrie Singers scheduled for Old Church in June are now highly unlikely to happen.

Continue reading “Day 1 of (Soft) Lockdown”

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First Aid Course – save a life!

First Aid - giving CPRFirst Aid Course – Save a Life!

CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

Heathlands PTA are running a First Aid Course on Monday 30th March 2020 between 7 pm – 10 pm.  This course is ideal for parents, teachers, grandparents, friends and anyone else who wants to be able to look after someone in a life-threatening emergency, the course will also raise funds for the PTA.

The instructor will lead the course in a fun and practical manner and there will be refreshments available throughout. Subjects covered include: Continue reading “First Aid Course – save a life!”