As you will remember, last autumn a group of volunteers cut the grass on the north bank of the churchyard and a number of wildflower seeds were sown.  The seeds purchased were chosen for either their ability to reduce the strength of the grass or to prosper in the tricky conditions – heavy clay soil, shade in the winter.

We are pleased to say that many of the yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) seeds have germinated.  This is vital in establishing a wildflower area because as their roots develop they seek out the roots of plants growing nearby, especially grasses.  Once contact is made the yellow rattle draws water and nutrients from them, suppressing the growth of grasses by as much as 60%.  In the resulting space, other wildflowers have room to grow.  We hope that this will not only look attractive but will increase the biodiversity in the churchyard which already supports a fantastic array of different species.  We know that yellow rattle flowers are pollinated by large bees, especially bumblebees, and are followed by 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 bank again in the late summer.  If you would like to be involved in this project or other environmental projects at the church please contact Debra Thatcher.

Update on Operation Shield
More than 300 calls to the RCC Crisis Helpline
31% which led to referrals
49% which led to food parcels

Government guidance on shielding can be found at:  http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

 

Rutland Urgent Care Centre
The out-of-hours primary care service at Rutland Memorial Hospital is now open at weekends and bank holidays from 9am until 7pm for NON- COVID and NON-SUSPECTED COVID patients. Patients can access the service via NHS111.

 

Accessing Dental Services
From Monday 8th June a phased resumption of services will occur in line with national guidance. The situation will be updated on the RCC website as the situation evolves. In the meantime the advice is to phone your dental practice between the hours of 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday for information/advice. Alternatively phone NHS111 in the evenings after 5pm, on weekends and bank holidays for information/advice.

 

North Luffenham Recycling Centre
The site was reopened for essential waste on 19 May 2020.

Essential waste is any waste that cannot be stored safely at home or disposed of through other legitimate routes.

Several new safety measures have been introduced at North Luffenham HWRC, in order to maintain social distancing. These include:

  • A maximum of four vehicles unloading on-site at a time, with no more than two persons per vehicle
  • Visitors must stay two metres away from each other and site staff at all times
  • The site closes for 15 minutes at 12.00pm, 2.00pm and 4.00pm each day so that it can be cleaned
  • No trailers can be accepted on-site because of the need to move vehicles in and out as quickly as possible
  • Visitors are asked to pre-sort their waste and separate out materials like metal, wood and plastics before traveling to the site
  • Staff at the site will provide instructions but cannot help to unload or put waste items into containers

Residents have been thanked for their response to the reopening.

 

Adult Safeguarding Campaign
RCC is asking residents to be vigilant and to call them if they have any concerns at all for the safety of an adult who may be at risk of abuse. To report abuse, go to http://www.rutland.gov.uk/ourdoorisopen or call the Council’s Adult Safeguarding Team on 01572 758341.

 

National Community Lottery Fund
Small and Medium sized charitable organisations can apply for National Community Lottery Funding of between £300 and £10,000.More info about the fund and how to apply can be found online at:  http://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/covid-19/learn-about-applying-for-emergency-funding-in-england

Thanking Volunteer
A special video thanking local volunteers can be viewed by following the link.
https://vimeo.com/426204360

Rutland Water
A soft reopening has seen a number of changes on site with some  facilities still closed to ensure compliance with government restrictions. Parking only in the designated Anglian Water car parks. Further info and guidance for visitors is published online at http://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/rutland-water

 

 

Latest  Situation
Figures explained: Regarding testing figures ‘Public Health England’ only provide a snapshop of the number of Covid-19 cases in an area and no further data. The data for number of deaths is published each Tuesday by ‘The Office for National Statistics’ but is time lagged by approx.11 days. There have been 20 Covid-19 related deaths recorded in Rutland up to week ending 29th May 2020.

 

Update on High Street reopening
Non essential retailers are now able to open in England from Monday 15th June as long as SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES ARE IN PLACE.

In Uppingham and Oakham temporary safety measures are also in place. These are:

  • Installation of signs and floor markings reminding us of social distancing rules.
  • Physical signage along both high streets
  • Free parking for those travelling by car.
  • Additional bike racks in Uppingham
  • A temporary one-way system on High Street Oakham is being finalised.
  • Businesses MUST display a notice to show they are following Government guidance.
  • You must only visit shops with those you live with and practice social distancing at all time.

For up to date information  http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

 

Return to Schools
Primary Schools – At present, wider opening up to Reception and Year one and Year 6 pupils in addition to vulnerable children and children of critical care workers only.

Secondary schools – Catmose College and Casterton College will be opening to Year 10’s next week, Uppingham College the following week and as per Government guidance.

 

Health & Wellbeing Conversation for Young People
The Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnership would like to hear from young people between the ages of 11 and 18 to understand how COVID-19 has impacted on them.

The survey can be found on: http://www.Surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HealthandWellbeingConversationforYoungPeopleages11to18

The responses close Sunday 28th June 2010

 

Places of Worship
From Monday 15 June 2020 places of worship will be permitted to open for individual prayer, in line with social distancing guidelines.

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic

However, places of worship will use their own discretion over when they consider it safe to open. Opening arrangements will be communicated locally.

 

Libraries
Although there is no date for their reopening residents can make use of the free e-book and e magazine and audio book service. For more info visit Rutland libraries website at http://rutland.gov.uk/libraries or tel 01572 722918.

 

Food Bank
A higher demand on the food banks is expected due to free school meals voucher ceasing in the Summer Holidays so contributions continue to be welcome. The lidded box for donations is to be found in the church porch.

 

Media Releases:

  • Face coverings MUST be worn on public transport.
  • New Electric Bike Scheme launched for Rutland Residents. Anyone over the age of 16 can apply and a short training course will be provided. To apply or for further info tel. 01572 758138 or email transport@rutland.gov.uk
  • Summer Reading Challenge online for children. For more info visit the Rutland Libraries website at http://rutland.gov.uk/libraries or tel 01572 722918
  • Rutland Carers – For help, advice and support tel. 01572 758249. Email: carersteam@rutland.gov.uk

 

Baines’ is re-opening from Tuesday June 16th 2020 onwards.

Initially we will be open for 5 days only. The days and timings are:

Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 am – 2:00 pm.

We will be reviewing our product offering week-by-week and anticipate that there may be regular changes, as we adapt and evolve to ensure all government guidelines are followed. Please therefore stay updated through our website – bainesbakery.co.uk

We will be working on SKELETON staff. Freshly baked bread, our range of cakes and filled rolls,  although reduced (but still plenty of choice!) will also be available daily.

There will be a ONE in, ONE out policy in place. Contactless payments will be the preferred method of payment.

We look forward to welcoming you all back and would like to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding!

Richard, Karen & Kate Baines

 

The June edition of the Rutland Water Benefice Magazine has now been uploaded onto the Ridlington website. It can be found as a sub heading under  the “Church General Info”.

Please forward or print the relevant pages for anyone you think might be interested in accessing a copy.

The Magazine is also available to view by clicking on the link on the front page of the Rutland Water Benefice website itself.

The link to this is – https://www.rutlandwaterbenefice.info/content/pages/documents/1590993740.pdf

 

Thank you
Anne Harvey

 

 

 

 

The coronavirus outbreak meant that there was not quite the street party in Ridlington, that was being planned. However, Ridlington residents still made sure to mark the occasion in the community, whilst in lockdown, whilst remaining both socially distanced and safe.

There was a ringing of the church bells at 11am to signal the 2 minutes silence, followed by a ‘stay at home tea party’ at 4pm and ‘toast your neighbours’ at 6pm.  Homes were decorated beautifully and everyone enjoyed the day.

Click here ….   to see some of the photos taken around the village.

COLLECTION BOX

During Covid 19 the collection box can be found in the church porch. We have now signed up to the RCC scheme, so Voluntary Action Rutland (VAR) are now collecting from the church to reduce the number of people visiting the Foodbank.

Thank you for your generosity and…please, please keep your donations coming.

Items needed at the moment include: coffee; dried potato; jam; small bags of sugar; tinned potatoes; small sponge puddings; UHT milk; tins of custard; shaving gel; washing up liquid; non-bio washing capsules; toilet roll; baby food for 7months+

Alternatively, you can make a donation to The Trussell Trust.

More information can be found at https://rutland.foodbank.org.uk/

Please read below a letter we have received from Mr. Chauhan informing us of the new online network – NHS Citizens’ Panel.

Dear Mr. Johnson,

Did you know that the local NHS organisations have launched a new online network, NHS Citizens’ Panel for people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR), to help people stay connected and  participate and share  views about their local healthcare service?

I am hoping that you can assist us to spread the word.  People we talk to are telling us about the great job that Parish Councils are doing at this difficult time – sharing articles, posting information on websites and also putting information on their notice boards to keep their local community informed.  We are also experiencing this for ourselves.

I would be grateful if you could display the attached poster  and use the attached article on your website and in any local newsletters/community magazines.  If you use any social media – a mention about the Citizens’ Panel would be great.

Citizen Panel Poster FINAL 21MAy2020 v2 Rutland

Citizens Panel article 150520 final (2)Ridlington

Should you need any further tools to support with promoting the Citizens’ Panel through social media such as Facebook, twitter or your internet, or you would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

To find out more about the Citizens’ Panel and join yourself visit www.healthcareviewsllr.co.uk

Thank you for helping and supporting your local NHS.

Kind regards
Shelpa Chauhan
Mobile: 07826 934328
Email: shelpa.chauhan@westleicestershireccg.nhs.uk

from a letter dated 29 May 2020