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.
Further clarifications on access to green spaces, public transport & schools.
Good Things Foundation.
Trying to ensure everybody is connected.
Courier Fraud Warning.
Warning from Essex Police.
Essex to Improve Cycle & Pedestrian Routes with Social Distancing.
Plans announced by Essex County Council.
Common Sense Called for as Recycling Centres Reopen.
ECC anticipate a rush, probably not good to be a trailblazer.
A few more Monty Python classics to amuse.

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”

May 5, 2020May 5, 2020

Day 43 of Lockdown – the “Specials” edition

Day 43 of Lockdown

After a quiet weekend for local news, day 43 (6 weeks and a day!!!), brings us a few bits of news that might interest. Also a rather lovely parody of Cat Stevens’ Father & Son and other light relief. So we have:

Calling for Community Specials (again),
Celebrating VE-Day 75th Anniversary,
Supporting Local Charities & Communities, and
Music & Humour.

Community Special Constables Needed

The parish has a low crime rate but does suffer from occasional antisocial behaviour and parking issues, along with sporadic rural crime. West Bergholt Parish Council are supporting Essex Police to increase local and visible policing in their area. We nearly had Continue reading “Day 43 of Lockdown – the “Specials” edition”

April 24, 2020April 27, 2020

Day 32 of Lockdown – the Co-op Dancers edition

Day 32 of Lockdown

Day 32 sees another slew of updates from Borough & County Councils, some anti-fraud stuff, the Tik-Tok videos of the Co-op dancers stitched together into one and a musical interlude.

Support for Vulnerable Residents.
Fraud Alerts.
Local businesses missing out on financial support.
A musical interlude from Princess Ariel.

But first, let’s enjoy the Co-op Dancers:

Dancing for West Bergholt

What better way to spend your evening after a hard day’s work than spending 45 minutes rehearsing some dance moves. Well, that’s what Continue reading “Day 32 of Lockdown – the Co-op Dancers edition”

April 21, 2020April 21, 2020

Day 29 of Lockdown – The Homeschool Edition

Day 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.

This includes the launch of Continue reading “Day 29 of Lockdown – The Homeschool Edition”

April 8, 2020June 8, 2020

Day 16 of Lockdown – “There’s a Lot Going On” Edition

Day 16 of Lockdown

Day 16 of Lockdown and there’s definitely a lot going on. We have updates from the ECC, CBC, Essex Police and more. Let’s get started:

CBC has issued an announcement making it clear that this weekend is critical to “flatten the curve”, as the picture (right) says!
CBC are to restart recycling collections but on a new rota. Garden waste & textile collections remain suspended.
ECC issue advice on helping you to support your child’s mental wellbeing.
Essex Libraries see a large uptick in eBook and eAudio use – you can join online.
Meanwhile, Essex Police have also been busy.

Residents urged to heed advice and stay at home as weather is set to improve

With the weather expected to turn increasingly Spring-like over the weekend, residents are being reminded to follow advice to stay at home, protect lives and help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading “Day 16 of Lockdown – “There’s a Lot Going On” Edition”

April 6, 2020April 6, 2020

Day 14 of Lockdown – The “I gotta wash my hands” Edition

Day 14 of Lockdown

Day 14 brings 3 snippets of news and a musical interlude to round it off. Two come from Essex County Council, one for small businesses, the other welfare-related. The final one is from Essex Police for all of us.

COVID-19 ECC Business Support Service,
Essex Welfare,
Essex Fraud Alert,
Musical Interlude.

Essex COVID-19 Business Support Service

ECC has put a dedicated team in place to support businesses through Continue reading “Day 14 of Lockdown – The “I gotta wash my hands” Edition”

April 2, 2020April 2, 2020

Day 10 of Lockdown – The Police Edition

If the Last Supper was taking place this year

Day 10 of Lockdown

Our day 10 report starts with an update on NEEB’s appeal. After that, we put together two reports found online yesterday. Essex Police had noted there had been an uptick in cars on roads and Essex County Council (coincidentally?) gave advice on how to avoid car use.

On the subject of Essex Police, they paid a surprise visit to the allotments yesterday. The last item is The Police offering advice about social distancing in a musical form. 🙂

Before we move on, a gentle reminder about NO BONFIRES please to protect kids with asthma; recycling collections will resume eventually so please hold your Green waste until then or use the CSH service for recyclables. So, on to the NEEB update:

Planning Inspectorate Update

It seems that the Planning Inspectorates enquiry into the NEEB Holdings application has Continue reading “Day 10 of Lockdown – The Police Edition”

April 1, 2020April 1, 2020

Day 9 of Lockdown – The Spiritual Edition

Day 9 of Lockdown

Day 9 and, with nearly 600 UK COVID-19 deaths in the past day, we start off this update in a thoughtful mood. We start with the latest news from St Mary’s which has an appropriate Easter Message from Revd Mandy Elmes. As well as that there is a bulletin from Colchester Police.

St Mary’s Update

This update focusses on the COVID-19 crisis with online services and a message from Revd Mandy Elmes. Some prayer suggestions are offered and also some spiritual one-liners! It also provides listings of services and contacts but first the Easter Message:

Easter Message from Revd Mandy Elmes

The Coronavirus Pandemic is something none of us anticipated or imagined. It is Continue reading “Day 9 of Lockdown – The Spiritual Edition”

March 25, 2020June 8, 2020

Day 2 of Lockdown – Recycling Edition

Day 2 of Lockdown

So Day 2 of the COVID-19 lockdown and hopefully everybody is getting into the swing of things. It helps that the skies are blue especially if you are able to get outside for your daily exercise. Odd not to see vapour trails in the sky but that is probably good for the environment. So, on to news updates:

Somebody’s crisis can be somebody else’s opportunity. Essex Police advise on how criminals are able to take advantage.
Allotments Newsletter v2. Updated COVID-19-related guidance.
Controversially, CBC has announced that it is cancelling all recycling collections apart from Food waste. The Parish Council are NOT happy with this.

Continue reading “Day 2 of Lockdown – Recycling Edition”

March 20, 2020March 20, 2025

Update on ASDA & a COVID-19 Scam Alert

ASDA & a COVID-19 Scam Alert

Skip to scam alert.

ASDA Update

[YouTube video no longer available]

ASDA told our MP of their plans to mitigate Covid-19 where it is within their control. unfortunately, it arrived too late to forewarn villagers of the early shopping for the eldery & vulnerable; we called their Head Office who advise this MIGHT become a regular Friday feature.