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PETERBOROUGH HOMELESS DONATIONS

The collection hubs have been closed since March but I have contacted the co-founder of Peterborough Homeless and she is happy to collect donations from my house. She has kindly sent me the following urgent request list. At the moment they are desperate for MEN’S clothes:

T shirts, polo tops S/M/L
Joggers  M/L/XL
Jeans/ cargo type trousers 30-36” maximum
Trainers, walking boots, normal boots & shoes
Dark coloured boxer underwear, preferably new or in very good condition
Towels – any size
Sleeping bags
Small tents

Please make sure that donations are in serviceable condition. The aim is always to maintain dignity & self-esteem.

Tracey has asked me to pass on (in advance) her thanks and great appreciation for your help and generosity. She is happy to hear from you if you have any questions. Tracey Herbert  – tbhphh@gmail.com

Please ring or text me before you drop off your donations. Many thanks.

Margie Wall
8, East Lane
Ridlington
Tel.: 07928 378668
Tel.: 01572 821397

 

 

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BOOKS! BOOKS! AND JIGSAWS!

You would have seen from the piece in the August Parish magazine that we were looking at a way to safely reintroduce our book re-cycling and exchange with a view to books being delivered to the requesting household and being placed in quarantine on return. We have identified a small storage area that can be used and indexing has commenced.

So far, the following are available:

BOOKS!

  • Alan Coren’s “The Sanity Inspector” – 1970’s collection of amusing pieces, some having stood the test of time, especially the take on traditional Christmas games. Not PC.
  • Gerald Durrell’s “The Corfu Trilogy” – if you have missed your summer holiday what better way to evoke memories of thyme-scented hillsides, cloudless skies and blue seas. Well worth a re-read.
  • Alec Guinness’s “Blessings in Disguise” – a memoir of theatre and film with delightful pen portraits of famous actors. Modestly written with a mixture of humour and humanity. Enormously enjoyable.
  • Guiseppe Tomasi Di Lampedusa’s “The Leopard” – a celebrated Italian novel, beautifully written and translated. A novel that takes place in history rather than an historical novel.
  • Bel Mooney’s “Small Dogs Can Save Your Life” – the journalist recognises that it is the rescue dog who has rescued her through the heartbreak of a broken marriage.
  • James Pope-Hennessy’s “The Quest for Queen Mary” – not a biography of George V’s widow but interview notes made by the author when meeting royalty, courtiers and retainers which were kept secret for 50 years. Sharp wit and detailed observation and, not too far from home, a lovely chapter about a weekend stay at Barnwell, near Oundle, the then home of Henry, Duke of Gloucester.
  • Ruth Rendell’s “Make Death Love Me” – a fast paced novel full of suspense written by the award winning crime fiction writer. Some parts of the novel are dated (written in the late 70’s) but enjoyable nevertheless.
  • Joyce Stranger’s “Kym” – a “biography” of a much-loved accident-prone Siamese cat written in the 1970’s by his observant owner, a novelist. Amusing, charming but rather dated.
  • Brian Viner’s “Cream Teas, Traffic Jams and Sunburn” – narrative travel book of the year in 2011 – a well observed and entertaining social history of British holiday makers’ trips to the seaside and more exotic destinations.

JIGSAW’s

  • London Underground Map – 1000 pieces – how well do you know the London underground? We discovered stations unknown to us – Beckton, Colliers Wood and Anerley. We gave up on the white surround to the map…but great fun to do.
  • The First Kiss by Bouguereau – 1000 pieces – Difficult and not for the faint hearted due to the limited colour palette depicting Cupid and Psyche as children.

 

Contact Debra Thatcher if you would like a delivery – 01572 823910 or debrathatcher@hotmail.com

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RIDLINGTON CHURCH NEWS

Our lovely church held its first Holy Communion Service on Sunday, August 9th. Although it was rather different, it was very special to be back and we all enjoyed listening to Martin playing the organ – indeed he got a round of applause at the end! Please see the rota at the back of the monthly Parish magazine for September’s pattern of services across the Rutland Water Benefice. St Mary Magdalene and St Andrew’s, Ridlington remains open for private prayer on Sundays and Wednesdays 10am – 4pm.

You can still access the weekly services on YouTube or Facebook. If you would like any help with this, please let Anne Harvey know and she’ll give you a hand.

 

CHURCHYARD
Weeds of Wildflowers?  During lockdown when you were taking your daily exercise did you have time to look at the wonders of nature?  In addition to the new wildflower bank on the north side of the church where the yellow rattle has performed well this year we have let the grass on the church lawn around the heritage apple trees grow over the summer to see what wildflowers were in the turf.  Setting aside the liverworts and mosses, I spotted the following, in no particular order: orange hawkweed, dandelion, sow thistle, ragwort (although no sign of the cinnabar moth caterpillars), groundsel, daisy, buttercup, meadow plantain, speedwell, shepherds purse, selfheal, cowslip, creeping jenny, dog violet, field pansy, meadow cranesbill, and clover.  I daresay that I have missed some – did you spot any others?

Cutting of both the wildflower bank and the church lawn in August was part of the planned maintenance programme for these wildlife areas and next year we think that we might mow a path on the church lawn so that it is easier for people to look at the heritage apple trees that we will let fruit next year for the first time.  If you have comments about the wildlife areas please contact Debra Thatcher.

Meanwhile, a big thank you to David Harvey for his work in the graveyard, mowing and pruning the trees which were not safe and/or were tangled in the electricity cables on Main Street. More work is to be undertaken at the far end of the churchyard in accordance with the relevant permissions.

 

THANK YOU FROM RIDLINGTON PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL
Following on from the ‘Coffee Break’ letter, we are delighted to say we have received a number of both one off and regular donations to the church. This generosity is hugely appreciated by us all so THANK YOU.

We still have some way to go before we can safely commence on the installation of toilet facilities and servery, not to mention the general upkeep of this beautiful historic building and its maintenance.

We have been heartened by those parishioners who have responded. If you have not got round to making your donation yet, or need another copy of the letter, please contact one of the PCC members named below:

Louise Fox; Anne and David Harvey; Bart Hellyer; Andy Hoult; Maggie Mortell; Richard Thatcher; Margie Wall.

 

CHURCH CLEANING
Now that the Church is open again for services, we are hoping to reintroduce the regular cleaning rota. We also have a ‘Spring Clean Day’ in the diary for Saturday 26th September 9am – 12noon. Volunteers are always welcome, so please contact Anne Harvey, if you think you can help. Tea/coffee and cake or bacon butties will be provided – all Covid-safe, of course.

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OUTDOOR EXERCISE

For those of you who wish to continue to have a good “social” workout, come join us for these two events. Social distancing and hygiene guidelines will be strictly maintained.

WALKING GROUP
The next walk will take place on Wednesday 2nd September starting at 2:00 pm outside the Village Hall. Again, there will be 6 places available, in the first instance, so please contact Anne Harvey at acharvey@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to come along.

RUNNING GROUP
Our Ridlington Running Group has also re-commenced (we think it was socially distanced anyway!) As previously, we meet at the Playing Field at 9:00 am each Saturday morning. If you are interested, please contact Shelagh Paige.

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UPPINGHAM SURGERY PRESCRIPTION DELIVERIES

Due to the popularity of the Community Medicines Collection Scheme which has now ceased, Uppingham Surgery have set up a volunteer delivery service which came in to effect on 10th August.

Deliveries to Ridlington are scheduled for Wednesdays.  Please order your prescriptions in the usual way and, if you wish to use the service, please request it when ordering.

Uppingham surgery’s email address is uppinghamsurgery@nhs.net.

 

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AUGUST FOOD BANK COLLECTION

With high numbers of people losing their jobs and many still on furlough there continues to be a huge demand for support from Rutland Food Bank. Our donations in the church porch are collected on alternate Wednesdays and for the collection on 26th August we have been advised that the following are in short supply:

  • Hand soap;
  • Shampoo;
  • Cereal bars;
  • Cream crackers; and
  • Pringles

Thanks are due to everyone in the village who have supported the collections to date and for the continued generosity.

If you think you are in need of some help, or know of someone who does, please call the Citizens Advice Bureau on 01572 723494.

 

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Ridlington Parish Council Brief – July 2020

The Latest Situation
As of 23rd July 2020 297,146 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in the UK. This includes both hospital testing data (pillar 1) and community testing data (pillar 2)

The total number of confirmed cases in Rutland as of 9am Thursday 23rd is 98.

There have been 23 COVID-19 related deaths recorded up to 10th July.

Testing numbers in the county are high but the rate of positive tests low. The results will be carefully monitored as travel increases, to and from the county, and the schools return in September.

More detailed information can be found on www.coronavirus-staging.data.gov.uk

 

Rutland Case Mapping
The government is now publishing more detailed information showing a breakdown of COVID-19 cases at a local level.

Rutland is divided into 5 geographical areas.

More detailed information can be found online at :  coronavirus-staging.data.gov.uk/cases

We all need to remain cautious and vigilant and to follow the guidance that has helped people stay safe especially as we head into the summer holiday period.  More information can be found at:  www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

 

Rutland’s Local Outbreak Plan  – this details:

  • Previous Spread of Covid-19
  • Early Identification and Proactive management of any local outbreaks
  • Coordinating efforts with local partners and agencies
  • Ensuring the public, businesses and stakeholders are aware of the plan and how it is applied.
  • Can be read in full on the Local Outbreak Plan Section of The Rutland
  • County Council Website.

 

Update on Operation Shield
There have been 364 calls registered through the crisis helpline.

From 3rd August 2020, the Crisis Line number will be automatically forwarded to the Adult Duty Line.

 

Continuation of free parking
RCC will continue suspending parking charges in all Council car parks throughout the summer.

NB. All on-street parking restrictions remain in place IN BOTH Oakham and Uppingham.

 

Restricted Library Services
Oakham Library is now offering a reduced collection and drop off service for books and DVD’s.

Planning is now underway for the introduction of a new Home Library delivery and collection service from 10th August. This service will take the place of the normal Mobile Library Service.

Registered library users can order books and DVD’s online via the Rutland Libraries website. (www.rutland.gov.uk/libraries)  OR over the phone by calling: 01572 722918

Items will be held in storage for 72 hours before they can be loaned back out again.

Reduced opening hours will apply to Oakham library – 09:30am – 2:00pm Monday , Wednesday and Friday and 09:30am to 1:00pm Saturday.

There will be no browsing, reading or computer services at this time and visitors will be asked to wear a mask inside the library and to observe social distancing rules at all times.

(This includes a limit on the number of people allowed into the library building at any one time).

Plans for community libraries in Uppingham Ketton and Ryall to open one day a week after 7th August will follow in due course.

 

Gyms and Leisure Facilities
Managers of Catmose Gym are reviewing the latest government guidance with a view to allowing access to the gym, a range of classes and indoor sport from 25th July.

The public swimming pools remain closed.

 

Rutland Registry Office
This has now been reopened for weddings civil partnership and birth registration services

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Appointments to discuss weddings and civil partnerships can be made by calling: 01572 758370 or emailing: registrars@rutland.gov.uk

Appointments for registering a birth can be made by calling: 01572 758380.

 

Castle and Museum Service
Plans are in place to reopen Oakham Castle for visitors and small wedding bookings from August 21st.

The Castle gift shop will only be able to accept card transactions. NO CASH.

 

Outdoor Play Areas
Can now be reopened AS LONG AS all activity is consistent with government guidance on health, hygiene and social distancing.

Further information can be accessed at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

A decision with regard to the Ridlington Play Area will be published shortly. At present it remains closed whist discussions continue regarding the difficulties in meeting the government directives.

 

Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund Policy:
Is available to view online at: www.rutland.gov.uk/covidbusiness.

 

Medical Collection Scheme
This will cease from 1st August in line with the end of shielding. Plans are in place to reinstate this should a local outbreak/lockdown occur.

 

Reporting of Grounds Maintenance Issues
Such as fly tipping, graffiti, damaged road signs and problems with vegetation etc. remains very much welcomed by reporting online, through the website: www.fixmystreet.com or via the FixMyStreet app.

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CHURCHYARD

The north bank is still developing well with abundant yellow rattle, which is now forming large seed pods.

Traditionally, farmers used the sound of the seeds rattling in the seed pods to know when to cut their hay, so we will cut the banks and the front of the churchyard again in the late summer.

Meanwhile, the grave yard is still being mowed regularly.