Tag: #WearYourMask

Comrades Hall 100 Club

The Comrades Hall 100 Club held their Summer draw on Tuesday 1st June 2021 at the Comrades Hall Post Office. The numbers were drawn by John, the Post Office Outreach Clerk.

The winning numbers and names are as follows:

  • 1st £75         No 45    Winner  – Diana Stothard
  • 2nd £50       No 30    Winner –  Wendy Shields
  • 3rd £25        No 87     Winner  – Val Madder-Smith

Congratulations to all 🙂

The next draw will take place on Tuesday 7th September 2021 at Comrades Hall.

Joyce and Sally say thank you to all the Members for their continued support for the Comrades Hall.

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Councillor Simon Christopher’s Report – May 2021

Cllr. Simon Christopher submitted the following report at this evening’s AGM of the Parish Council:

Dear Helen and Councillors,

Further to my previous report I comment as follows re school buses:
My understanding is that Service SB5 route operated by First Wessex running via Misterton Drimpton and Broadwindsor has been affected for a number of weeks by a road closure at Misterton associated with bridge strengthening.
I further understand that the work is for Somerset County Council and per the latest report I have, the work  is due to end on 21 May 2021.

I am informed by the Head of Travel at Dorset Council that First Group have been impacted by a number of other roadwork schemes happening before the tourist season proper commences and indeed the head of travel also points out that the service was further  affected by Somerset County Council roadworks south of Crewkerne for a couple of weeks during March.
The Head of Travel at Dorset Council has informed me that First Wessex did communicate with the headmaster at the school about the roadworks before hand and attempted to make appropriate adjustments to pick ups.
The head of Travel at Dorset Council has also passed on the additional comment from First Wessex:

‘’All drivers we use are familiar with the routes ,in fact we do not allow any driver to drive any routes they are unfamiliar with and they can only drive a route once fully trained and signed off’.’

Finally , the Head of Travel reported that First have agreed to look at the diversion route again to see if there are any alternative solutions to avoid the delay and promised to keep the portfolio holders, Councillor Ray Bryan and Councillor Andrew Parry and myself updated

I now turn to the support from HM Government for the bus sector. This involves the Covid 19 Bus Service Support Grant (CBSSG) Restart 

It is interesting to read in HM Governments communication Bus Back Better that there is a declared belief that and I quote ‘ Local collaboration is a key tenet of emergency funding”.  As a condition of receiving CBSSG, the Department of Transport can ask operators to demonstrate on request that consultations on service levels have taken place and that reasonable requests from Local Transport Authorities for service changes have been considered in good faith.
The Department for Transport can deny or recover CBSSG payments from operators who have not engaged adequately with Local Transport Authorities.
By the end of June 2021 Dorset Council, in order to have access to CBSSG is required to commit to entering into  Enhanced Partnerships.
By the end of October 2021 Dorset Council is required to have developed and agreed a Bus Services Improvement Fund.
Clearly there is a lot for Councillor Ray Bryan , the portfolio holder for Highways Travel and Environment to think about.

I continue to engage with interested parties about damage to the verge etc at Common Water Lane.

Turning to farming, which is at the core of economic activity  in so much of the Marshwood Vale Ward, farming has always been a dangerous industry. At this time of year many of us would have been thinking about attending the May agricultural shows including Devon County Show and Royal Bath and West Shows . These shows are both cancelled and as a consequence charities and other organisations and firms lose the opportunity to discuss with people in a true face to face way how farming can be made safer.
Close to one person a week dies in an accident on farms in this country despite countless campaigns to raise awareness of dangers whether to farmers and farm workers or walkers.
Farmers and farming organisations together with the Health & Safety Executive and charities have publicised the risks yet still people die on farms through accidents . No councillor should give up working towards farm safety. With respect to walkers there are risks associated with large livestock and large farm machinery.

Of course farming has changed with some farmers keeping their cattle indoors more than others . It is always helpful when farmers can have the chance to explain what they are doing to arrive at common sense solutions so that farming is safer.
One of the most famous farming commentators recently described the situation in a national magazine for those who work in or enter a farm environment,  your friends and family and I quote ‘may just have a concern about you because you are not young and nimble enough any more to climb a ladder or jump a gate if the bull turns nasty ‘ This may be seen by some as helpful advice!

After recent disturbing local events re attacks on sheep, I was interested and indeed saddened to read that more than two thirds of UK sheep farmers have experienced an increase in attacks on their flocks by dogs in the past  year according to a new survey.
The National Sheep Association (NSA) said the findings of its survey added further weight to evidence that an increase in dog ownership during the coronavirus lockdown may be driving the rise in attacks.
The NSA chief executive Phil Stocker noted that there was still much work  to do to educate the dog owning public about the need to keep their pets under control- and preferably on a lead  in the countryside ,especially near livestock.

Last Friday the National Sheep Association launched #LeadOn –  a two week campaign that aims to encourage dog owners to be responsible and act as an example to others by keeping their pets on leads in the presence of livestock.
Sheep farmers across the UK will be posting their experience on Facebook and Twitter about the devastating effect a dog attack on their flocks can have for all parties.

Finally in the Dorset Council area elections are taking place on 6 May 2021 for the Police and Crime Commissioner. Elsewhere in Dorset there will also be some town and parish council by elections.  I am advised that measures to ensure polling stations are safe include:

1 social distancing inside and outside venues.

2 limits on the number of people inside polling stations.

3 maximum ventilation of polling stations.

4 hand sanitiser.

5 regular cleaning.

Other points:

Voters will be required to follow the signage and any instructions at their polling station.
Voters are encouraged to bring their own pens/pencils.
Face Coverings are also required to be worn inside the polling station (Unless exempt).
Election staff will also be wearing face masks.

Please note that this not an exhaustive list of measures and advice from the Comms team  further info may be available in the first instance from the following – Dorset Council 01305 858233 or email: comms@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk.

Best regards,

Simon.
Dorset Councillor Simon Christopher
Marshwood Vale
Tel: 07798 833 715

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Councillor Simon Christopher’s Report – April 2021

Cllr. Simon Christopher delivered the following report at this evening’s Parish Council meeting:

Councillors

During the last month I have had further discussions with Dorset Council Highways officers re speed limits signage and speeding generally. This is an ongoing matter and will hopefully involve actual face to face discussions with officers in some Marshwood Vale ward villages This is dependent on officer time and when Covid Restrictions allow I have continued to press for improvements in broadband and mobile in discussions with officers portfolio holders and our MP I have also  corresponded with local farmers and other business owners.

Dorset Council is considering appropriate action as result of the expected greater influx of tourists this summer. As this is a major task for the Council I will talk about this further at the Parish council meeting.  With the increased use of footpaths there is concern about adherence to the Countryside Code and most importantly avoid circumstances where dogs chase and attack livestock . Livestock worrying may lead to dogs being shot.

We are seeing some fundamental change in farming with a re assessment on occasions of future farming directions and structures. The full impact of brexit and the gradual movement from basic payments will take some time to assess. Clearly some farmers are aware of the Defra Agricultural Transition plan published at the end of last year . We will see the support Defra provides for farmers change over the next 7 years with cuts to the basic payment ie area based scheme and the introduction of schemes to at least partially replace it. These are envisaged to include productivity schemes  and the sustainable farming incentive in the short term  and eventually Environmental Land Management scheme implementation from 2024.

It was been helpful to see HM Government this week  commit itself to the importance of rural public transport especially buses. With the influx of visitors expected, subject to the relaxation of Covid restrictions of course, I am even more conscious of the importance of public transport.

The period for initial consultation in respect of the draft Dorset Council Local Plan has ended and I understand that there is satisfaction with the amount of interest shown and the number of responses received. If we do not have an up to date plan then there is the risk of developments being passed  merely under the sustainable development criteria of the National Planning Policy Framework Dorset Council has set a budget to spend £312.4 million in the year ended 31 March 2022 ie outside of the dedicated schools grant.

It is envisaged that of this  £312.4  million the majority will be spent on 2 statutory services £124.9 million will be spent on Adult social care and £52.8 million on Chidren’s social care.The budget will be funded by increasing council tax by just under 5% that is just under 2% increase in general Council Tax and just under 3 per cent to help fund adult social care – known as the adult social care precept. This equates to the rate for a band D Property increasing by £84.60 for the year or £1.62 per week. To fund the £312.4 million  the majority of the funding is intended to be received in the form of   £263.9 million from Council tax and  £44.3 from retained business rates.

A few other points as Dorset Council looks to deliver services often in rural areas.

The percentage of income coming from business rates is relatively low compared to other local authorities while the percentage of the population aged over 65 is higher than any other unitary authority.

You may recall that in March 2020 the government published The Electrical Safety standards in the Private Rented Sector  (England) Regulations 2020 which came into force on 1 June2020.The regulations apply to existing tenancies from. 1 April 2021. Covid regulations have made life particularly difficult for landlords in compliance matters and of course in terms of regulation.

I remind you of the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in May.

Councillor Simon Christopher
Dorset Councillor Marshwood Vale

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CB3 Bus Timetable

The CB3 bus service is now operational, serving Broadwindsor and the surrounding villages.

  • Buses to Bridport will leave the Old Bakery at 10.45hrs and 17.49hrs.
  • Buses to Crewkerne will leave The White Lion at 09.51hrs, 13.02hrs, 14.50hrs & 19.04hrs.

All passengers are required to telephone the bus prior to their journey: 07716 643087#Broadwindsor,#Burstock,#Blackdown,#Hursey,#Kittwhistle,#Seaborough,#Drimpton,#Marshwood,#Mosterton,#Crewkerne,#Bridport,#Dorset,#CB3bus,#DorsetCouncil,#BWGPC,#WearYourMask,#SocialDistancing,#BeSafe,#StaySafe

Local Scout Groups Need Adult Helpers

Scout Groups welcome boys and girls from the ages of 5 ¾ to 14 years old.  Lockdown has made everyone realise how important fun, activities and being part of a community is to us and to children. Both the local Scout groups that serve our parish are in need of Adult Helpers ready for when the groups restart.  Active help.  Committee help.  General help. Assistant Leaders.  All offers of help are appreciated.

The 1st Beaminster Scout Group:

Beaminster’s Groups meet:

  • Beavers: Age 6-8 on Mondays 5.30pm to 6.30pm
  • Cubs: Age 8-10½ on Mondays 6.30pm to 8.00pm
  • Scouts: Age 10½ – 14 on Mondays 6.30pm to 8.00pm

Are you, or someone you know, over 18 and wanting to give something back to our local young people by becoming a helper at the weekly sessions? Perhaps you are ready to take on some new adventures yourself!
“Be prepared” to have some fun, they have several positions which need filled.  Read more HERE or send a message for further information to kirstyamoore@outlook.com.

The 1st Mosterton Scout Group:

Mosterton’s Groups meet:

  • Beavers: aged 5 ¾ to 8 years inclusive – normally meet 4.45pm to 6.00pm.
  • Cubs: aged 8 to 10 ½ years inclusive – normally meet 6.00pm to 7.30pm.
  • Scouts: aged 10 ½ to 14 years old inclusive – normally meet 7.30pm to 9.00pm.

The 1st Mosterton group are also looking for Adult helpers for their group, please email: Chris at emmerson1@googlemail.com

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Comrades Hall 100 Club Results

The Spring draw took place on Tuesday 2nd March 2021 at the Comrades Hall.

The numbers were drawn by John, the Post Office Outreach Clerk. The winning numbers and names are as follows:

  • 1st £75     No 17​ Winner: David Bishop
  • 2nd £50  No 68 Winner: Keith Palmer
  • 3rd £25   No 72 Winner: Emma Myers
  • 4th £15    No 83 Winner: Mark Frampton
  • 5th £10    No 94 Winner: Graham Small
  • 6th £5      No 33 Winner: Georgina Eccles

“The next draw will take place on Tuesday 1st June 2021 at the Comrades Hall. Thank you to all the Members for your continued support for Comrades Hall.”

– Joyce & Sally

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Comrades Hall 100 Club

The next Comrades Hall 100 Club draw will take place on Tuesday, 2nd March at 11am at the Hall during the Post Office session. The Post Office is open from 10am – 12.30pm.

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It’s National Apprentice Week!

Running from 8th – 14th February, the theme for the 14th annual National Apprenticeship Week is ‘Build the Future’.

The aim is to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.  The week showcases the impact apprenticeships can have on communities, local businesses and regional economies and how they all benefit from the impact of apprenticeships.

To support National Apprenticeship Week 2021, individuals, employers, training providers and communities are being encouraged to get involved, to celebrate apprenticeship.

In November 2020, Broadwindsor.org published an article for local employment at Heavers of Bridport as they were offering three Apprentice positions at that time.  Today, Ross Heaver responded with this update:
“We hired three apprentices in the end. All are doing very well and are undergoing their training programme and down the line, they should be all be fully qualified installers. It is great to offer employment and opportunities for young people during these times.“

This is fantastic news & well done to both Heavers & their Apprentices!

There is a Twitter online programme for NAW2021:
At the time of publishing, today’s event has already ended.

  • Tuesday 9 February from 12 noon – 2 pm, employers will be on hand to answer questions using #AskAnEmployer.
  • Wednesday 10 February from 12 noon – 2 pm, existing apprentices will be available to respond to questions using the #AskAnApprentice.
  • Thursday 11 February is Thank you Thursday.
  • Friday 12 February A virtual graduation ceremony takes place.
  • Saturday 13 February is Parents and Carers Day.
  • Valentine’s Day, Sunday 14 February, will bring an end to National Apprenticeship Week 2021.

You can also follow @Apprenticeships and @CareerMapNews on Twitter to keep an eye on launch day events.

To find out more about Apprenticeships online visit:

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Tree Swings Vandalised At Top Of Lewesdon Hill

Sadly, Broadwindsor.org was sent these images earlier this morning.  All of the rope tree swings at the top of Lewesdon Hill have been cut denying fun to all those who use them.

Photo: Victoria Saines
Photo: Victoria Saines

Lewesdon is such a pleasure for all of us and our families – particularly under these extremely restrictive times. This behaviour is not what our community is about! Having no idea who is responsible or what action the local council will take at this time – it’s simply sad to report.

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You Need A Reasonable Excuse Else Stay Home

Stay Home. Save lives. The new variant of COVID-19 is spreading fast. If you go out, you can spread it. People will die. You must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’.

You should follow this guidance immediately. This is the law.

What is a reasonable excuse?

Clicking on the links in the text below will take you the relative Government page with more detail.
The Government website states that a ‘reasonable excuse’ includes:

Work:

You can only leave home for work purposes where it is unreasonable for you to do your job from home. This includes, but is not limited to, people who work within critical national infrastructure, construction or manufacturing that require in-person attendance

Volunteering:

You can also leave home to provide voluntary or charitable services. You must volunteer from home unless it is not reasonably possible for you to do so.

Essential activities:

You can leave home to buy things at shops or obtain services where necessary. You may also leave your home to do these things on behalf of a disabled or vulnerable person or someone self-isolating.

Education and childcare:

You can only leave home for education, registered childcare, and supervised activities for children where the child is eligible to attend. Access to education and children’s activities for school-aged pupils is restricted. See further information on education and childcare. You can continue existing arrangements for contact between parents and children where they live apart. If you live in a household with anyone aged under 14, you can also form a childcare bubble.

Meeting others and care:

You can leave home:

  • to visit people in your support bubble ( if you are legally permitted to form one)
  • to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubble (for example, to enable parents to work, not to enable social contact between adults)
  • to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people
  • to provide emergency assistance
  • to attend a support group (of up to 15 people)
  • for respite care where that care is being provided to a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or is a short break in respect of a looked-after child.

Exercise

You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.You should maintain social distancing. See the exercising section.

Meeting others and care:

You can leave home:

  • to visit people in your support bubble ( if you are legally permitted to form one)
  • to provide informal childcare for children under 14 as part of a childcare bubble (for example, to enable parents to work, not to enable social contact between adults)
  • to provide care for disabled or vulnerable people
  • to provide emergency assistance
  • to attend a support group (of up to 15 people)
  • for respite care where that care is being provided to a vulnerable person or a person with a disability, or is a short break in respect of a looked-after child.

Exercise:

You can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.You should maintain social distancing. See the exercising section of this guidance online.

Medical reasons:

You can leave home for a medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and for emergencies.

Maternity:

You can leave home to be with someone who is giving birth or, accessing other maternity services, or to be with a baby receiving neonatal critical care. There is NHS guidance on pregnancy and coronavirus.

Harm:

You may leave home, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).

Compassionate visits:

You may also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment.

Animal welfare reasons:

You can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.

Communal worship and life events:

You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, to attend a funeral or event related to a death, to visit a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony. You should follow the guidance on the safe use of places of worship and must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. Weddings, funerals and religious, belief-based or commemorative events linked to someone’s death are all subject to limits on the numbers that can attend.

Further reasonable excuses:

There are further reasonable excuses. For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations, or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, for the purpose of picketing, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum. See guidance on  . This applies to anyone campaigning for electoral events.

Medical reasons:

You can leave home for a medical reason, including to get a COVID-19 test, for medical appointments and for emergencies.

Maternity:

You can leave home to be with someone who is giving birth or, accessing other maternity services, or to be with a baby receiving neonatal critical care. There is NHS guidance on pregnancy and coronavirus.

Harm:

You may leave home, to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).

Compassionate visits:

You may also leave home to visit someone who is dying or someone in a care home (if permitted under care home guidance), hospice, or hospital, or to accompany them to a medical appointment.

Animal welfare reasons:

You can leave home for animal welfare reasons, such as to attend veterinary services for advice or treatment.

Communal worship and life events:

You can leave home to attend or visit a place of worship for communal worship, to attend a funeral or event related to a death, to visit a burial ground or a remembrance garden, or to attend a wedding ceremony. You should follow the guidance on the safe use of places of worship and must not mingle with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. Weddings, funerals and religious, belief-based or commemorative events linked to someone’s death are all subject to limits on the numbers that can attend.

Further reasonable excuses:

There are further reasonable excuses. For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations, or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, for the purpose of picketing, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum. See guidance on campaigning during the national lockdown. This applies to anyone campaigning for electoral events.

To view all the Government guidance on the National Lockdown – Click HERE.

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