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HE MOST RECENT INFORMATION IS BEING POSTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
This page is intended to provide up to date information on the Coronavirus Covid-19 situation that is relevant to Alpheton residents. This is in addition to the nationwide information from the Government and the NHS.
ADVICE FROM ALPHETON PARISH COUNCIL
A leaflet containing important information relevant to the Coronavirus Covid-19 emergency is being printed and will be distributed to all households within the parish of Alpheton in the next few days.
WHATSAPP GROUP
If you wish to join an Alpheton residents WhatsApp group to exchange information and share concerns, email or phone your mobile phone number to Trevor Rix trevor@trevorrix.co.uk 01284 828115 or 07931 217727.
EMAIL GROUP
If you wish to join an Alpheton residents email group to exchange information and share concerns, email Trevor Rix trevor@trevorrix.co.uk
FACEBOOK GROUP
For those that prefer to interact within a Facebook group, post in the Alpheton group https://www.facebook.com/groups/20565691086
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The WhatsApp group now has 20 members so is the most popular method of communication. This is where the majority of the online discussions in the village are taking place.
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Dear Residents/Councillors
Long Melford, Acton and Alpheton have gone into effective lockdown following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s nationwide TV broadcast in which he laid down stringent new rules in a bid to battle coronavirus.
On the day the number of confirmed cases in Suffolk rose from 15 to 18, more than 6,650 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, but the actual number of cases is estimated to be much higher, with the number of deaths is now 335, according to the latest figures available. Basically Mr Johnson has outlined four key things this evening – but much of the detail remains to be filled in. For example people can leave to go to work – but what sort of work has not been specifically defined. And the definition of two people making up the maximum public gathering lacks real clarity.
Cllr Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s leader, said: “Everyone in Suffolk must listen and follow this very clear direction from the Government. We must now all stay at home unless journeys are absolutely essential.
"This isn’t about us as individuals. This is about protecting the NHS and saving the lives of our neighbours and loved ones.
“Please, everyone, do what society needs you to do. Our actions today determine the futures of others in the days and weeks to come. It’s as simple as that.”
The brief outline of actions sanctioned this evening is:
• All gatherings of more than two people in public were forbidden – meaning a ban on all social events, including weddings and baptisms
• Tens of thousands of non-essential shops were ordered to close
• Communal play and exercise areas inside parks will also be shut down, but not parks themselves
• Places of worship such as churches and mosques must also shut, except to host for funerals
• And travel on roads, trains and buses is also banned, unless it’s essential to get to work
Anyone breaking the rules will be fined at least £30 - and up to £1,000 if they fail to self-isolate.
However, I fully expect more information will be forthcoming from government and will keep you informed.
Thanks to my colleague Cllr Derek Davis, Babergh Cabinet Member for Communities, for supplying this information.
Kind regards
Cllr John Nunn
District Councillor
Long Melford Ward
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HOME, BUT NOT ALONE: Suffolk urged to rally together as new local COVID-19 app and phoneline launched to connect volunteers and people who need help
News release
For immediate release: Tuesday 24 March 2020
HOME, BUT NOT ALONE
Suffolk urged to rally together as new local COVID-19 app and phoneline launched to connect volunteers and people who need help
A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need.
The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support. As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with Government social distancing guidelines.
The free app, called Tribe Volunteer, can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 09:00 to 17:00, seven days a week.
The Home, But Not Alone service was created by partners from Suffolk’s councils, police, health bodies and charitable organisations which come together as the Collaborative Communities Board. Chrissie Geeson, the board chair, said:
“In these challenging times, it has been incredibly heartening to have so many people volunteer to help others. In villages and towns across Suffolk, people have taken it upon themselves to mobilise a small army of volunteers to do what they can for people in need.
“The support service will encompass this work but will bring structure and routine to these offers of help. This is just the start of this new service, so we expect the number of offers and requests to grow. People who want to help, or need help, should let us know and we will do the rest.
"It is testament to the hard work of all Suffolk organisations and sectors that we are able to offer this invaluable help.”
The telephone line is not a general information line for COVID-19 queries, but those in need can seek information on support with care needs, loneliness and to connect with community support. This is a new service and will adapted to demand over the coming weeks. People are still being urged to check gov.uk for the latest guidance on a wide range of issues and changes caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
ENDS
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Long Melford Surgery has issued the following guidance:-
All requests for repeat prescriptions will only be actioned electronically by email. The surgery will not accept paper prescriptions. If you do not have access to email, please ask a family member to email on your behalf or call us to help you.
They ask that, if possible, you should email them beforehand if someone else is collecting your prescription giving your permission (Longmelford.dispensary@nhs.net)
Please strictly observe the 2 metre distance rule when collecting prescriptions.
Prescriptions can now only be collected between 2 and 4pm. This restricted time slot is for your own safety.
Please remember that NHS staff need our support and protection during this difficult time. Please be patient and only call them if absolutely necessary.
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In response to Covid-19, West Suffolk Hospital have had to change their visiting rules. I suspect this has meant lots of telephone calls to wards, which means that nurses are spending considerable time giving updates, which obviously takes them away from patient care. West Suffolk Hospital have set up a dedicated telephone line so that you can ring in and get an update about your loved one. The number is
01284 712555 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week
There are clinical staff that are doing shifts on this telephone number, and will have access to patients records
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If you wish to watch and interact with church services online and keep up with information from our rector Reverend Matthew Lawson, visit https://www.facebook.com/1768795803366733/videos/633167237228392
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Coxs Boxes have extended the area they deliver to which now includes Alpheton. It is the company that has the fruit and veg stall at Sudbury market. coxsboxes.com or 07931 389006.
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Nicola Smith our Our Parish Clerk has requested that I post this information to this webpage. I think it best that you email Nicola alphetonpcclerk@gmail.com if you wish to receive a personalised letter from Babergh.
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Nicola wrote ...
I have seen a copy of the letter that is being proposed and I think it will be for those shopping or collecting medication for others to carry on them.
Babergh want details of people in the village that are doing the shopping and collecting of medication. If people are shopping for others would they provide us with their name and address. If for example there are two people in the same household that shop for others (for example both shop for their own parents) then I would like both of their names please so they can carry their own individually addressed letter.
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Denise wrote ...
We have been provided with a letter from our Chief Executive that gives a firm remit to those out shopping on behalf of others. We have been asked to personalise this before sending out so if you can give me a list of those needing to have a copy I will arrange for these to be completed and then forward to you for further distribution.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Denise
Denise Last
Admin & Technical Support Officer, Countryside & Public Realm
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils – Working Together
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Here is Alpheton Parish News - May 2020, the first ever in digital format.
Alpheton Parish News - May 2020
In addition to the resources mentioned, the majority of digital interaction in the village is taking place in the Alpheton WhatsApp group. Please email me your mobile phone number if you would like to join the group.
Trevor Rix
trevor@trevorrix.co.uk
Clapstile Farm, Alpheton
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Covid-19 related advice from Suffolk Police -- see the News page.
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A letter from our MP James Cartlidge
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Suffolk COVID - 19 Experience Survey
Suffolk COVID - 19 Experience Survey
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HWSCovid-19
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Here is Alpheton Parish News - June 2020.
The Alpheton WhatsApp group now has 26 members. Please email me your mobile phone number if you would like to join the group.
Trevor Rix
trevor@trevorrix.co.uk
Clapstile Farm, Alpheton
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Information from the PCC secretary Liz Brunwin.
"Your churches are opening, and looking forward to welcoming you….for private prayer for now…..and hopefully for services in the not too distant future.
Both churches are being cleaned after the long closure, and measures are in place to make sure that visitors can stay safe.
The church of St Peter and St Paul, Alpheton is open daily from Monday 15th June (morning and afternoon.)
St George’s Church Shimpling will be open from Saturday 20th June (all day)"
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Join the WhatsApp group (see WHATSAPP GROUP above) to keep abreast of what is happening in the village.
Trevor Rix - webmaster - 16 June 2020