Lyonshall Parish Council has REOPENED the playground after considering its responsibilities for safety and the current risks involved.

For this to happen all users will take full responsibility for themselves whilst using the playground— Please read and stick to these rules and guidelines as advertised in the playground.

• Parental guidance at all times
• Maintaining social distancing
• Sanitise/wash your hands before and after using the play equipment
• Don’t touch your face after touching any of the surfaces
• Do not take or eat food or drink in the playground
• Take all your litter home with you

Whilst all possible practical measures have been put in place to ensure safety, scientific advice suggests that the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to several days on some hard surfaces. The risks are reduced when outdoors, where surfaces may be subject to UV light and/or rain.

Connexus Housing Association currently have a 2 Bedroom house for rent in Fishpools.

Lyonshall Parish Council housing allocation policy priority is for local persons with a connection to Lyonshall.

If you or anyone you know with a local connection to Lyonshall would be interested renting the property please note it is now available on Homepoint for bids until Wednesday 23rd September - So quick action is required!

Any queries please contact Connexus Customer Service - 03332 31 32 33

All the latest sightings for August are here. Thanks to the many contributors.

There is a recent emergence in scams targeting the elderly with several incidents reported to the police in the last few days.

• Information on be scam aware on Herefordshire Council’s website is here
• Additional information is on the WISH website, and
• Scam Alert | Police are receiving multiple calls about a Police officer saying they are from the metropolitan police asking for fraudulent money to be handed over. This is a scam, Police will never ask you to hand over money. Please make elderly friends and relatives aware.
• 

West Mercia Police have asked us to circulate this important information about courier fraud.

Julia and our local spotters have been busy producing the July edition of the Lyonshall Country Diary. Click here.

Help control the virus

To protect yourself and others, when you leave home you must:

• wash hands - keep washing your hands regularly
• cover face - wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces on public transport and in shops
• make space - stay at least a metre away from people not in your household

If you are feeling unwell, call 111, get a test and do not leave home for at least 10 days.

Herefordshire Council website offers local information and support available https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/info/200250/coronavirus

LATEST INFORMATION ON COVID 19

Government announces easing of lockdown measures to be postponed

The Government has today announced that further easing of coronavirus restrictions in England - due to come in this weekend - has been postponed for at least two weeks.

That means venues such as casinos, bowling alleys, and skating rinks must remain closed until 15 August.Indoor performances will also not resume, pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues and conference centres will not take place, and wedding receptions of up to 30 people will not be permitted.

Face coverings will be also be mandatory in more indoor settings, such as cinemas, and people attending places of worship will also be among those required to wear face coverings. Rules for face coverings will become enforceable in law from 8 August.

Changes to shielding

The guidance for ‘shielding’ patients will change from tomorrow, Saturday 1 August.

The key changes are:

• the government will no longer be advising people to shield
• support from the National Shielding Service of free food parcels, medicine deliveries and care will stop
• NHS Volunteer Responders will carry on delivering the food you buy, prescriptions and essential items where needed
• you will still be eligible for priority supermarket slots (if you have registered by 17 July)
• you can go to work, as long as the workplace is COVID-secure – but carry on working from home if you can
• children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can go back to school (when the rest of their class goes back)
• you can go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise – keeping 2 metres away wherever possible

For all the latest guidance on the changes and help available, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Extension of self-isolation period

The UK Chief Medical Officers as of 30 July made a statement confirming that the self-isolation period has been extended from 7 to 10 days for those who have coronavirus symptoms or a positive test result.

Read the new guidelines at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-from-the-uk-chief-medical-officers-on-extension-of-self-isolation-period-30-july-2020

NHS Test and Trace launches campaign

NHS Test and Trace have this week launched a new campaign to encourage everyone to get a free test as soon as they develop symptoms, alongside a new business plan to expand testing capacity and prepare the nation for winter.

The campaign will encourage people to get a free test as soon as they develop mild symptoms and will make them aware of the need to respond to the service if contacted.

The number of tests given to people without symptoms will increase to 150,000 per day by September, with testing capacity to double to 500,000 with more than 500 testing sites by October.

More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-test-and-trace-launches-campaign-to-encourage-everyone-with-symptoms-to-get-a-free-test

Another month with lots of information and sightings from our wildlife spotters. Thanks to all of you who contribute. This time there is an information sheet on Lyonshall bogs and marshes. Click here

You will find the May Country Diary with Bonus documents of the answers to the Tree Flower and Blossom Quiz and a Bird Lifespan Chart on this link.

Warmer homes Herefordshire Council is working with E.ON to help people across the county improve the heating of their homes by installing free first-time gas central heating systems in around 300 eligible residents’ homes. 

The project follows a successful funding bid by the Council to the £150 million Warm Homes Fund, established by National Grid, and administered by community interest company Affordable Warmth Solutions. 

Eligible households not connected to mains gas and currently relying on inefficient ways of heating their homes, for example electric storage or panel heaters, could be eligible for the measures, which are part of the Warmer Homes Herefordshire scheme. Subject to eligibility, where there is no existing gas supply to the property, a new gas network connection will also be provided by Affordable Warmth Solutions, usually at no cost. Still funded by Affordable Warmth Solutions, eligible properties (must be without existing central heating, unless the existing system uses solid fuel). Under this rural programme they would be able to support the installation of heating systems– e.g. LPG Gas, or Renewable heating (e.g. heat pumps or biomass systems).

For the full eligibility criteria and to apply, they would encourage any residents to call Keep Herefordshire Warm on 0800 677 1432 or email khw@severnwye.org.uk and take a look at: https://keepherefordshirewarm.co.uk/

WISH Herefordshire is a useful source of information, including local food stores / deliveries and virtual exercises and activities to do at home. Work is undertaken to keep this information up to date and relevant. If you know of any changes or additional services please could you ask they register them with WISH. A lot has been added to this site in light of Covid 19 and any help you can give to promote WISH locally, as a community resource, would be greatly appreciated.

Julia Evans and all the contributors have done us proud with an abundance of wildlife sitings and information for the April Country Diary which can be accessed here.

In addition, there is a quiz of tree blossoms and flowers seen in Lyonshall to keep you amused. Click here.

Hope you enjoy this lockdown entertainment. Thanks to Julia and all the spotters, please keep your sitings coming in. The diary appears each month on the Country Diary page.

Leominster Food bank offer support to those who meet the criteria for food parcels.

A short briefing note is attached which explains how someone gets referred and how it works. 

Please read the attached document HERE to see how to find out if you qualify. 

Contact Details: Food bank mobile is 07715410575 and email address is leominsterfoodbank@gmail.com

If you walk the Parish Footpaths for your daily exercise please stick the the public footpaths.

Keep your dog on a lead and pick up it's poop and take it home with you please!!

Please click for the  Definitive Footpath Map  and just enter your postcode.

Link to letter from Herefordshire Council Chief executive Alistair Neill - HERE

Stop Loan Sharks Helpline Information

In these difficult times its important to ensure you know who you are lending money from.

The Stop Loan Sharks helpline is available to all and full details can be found by following this LINK

Message for all Parishioners in Lyonshall Parish.

Here to Help!

Thank you to all those who have registered on the website and returned your information slips over the last week, this information is helping to identify possible volunteers and vulnerable people, so if you haven’t sent yours in yet please do to lyonshallparishclerk@gmail.com or post to the address on the letter.

You should have by now received a letter from Herefordshire Council in response to the Covid 19 outbreak providing simple steps to take and support contact details.

You can call the support line on 01432 260027 or email talkcommunitycovidresponse@herefordshire.gov.uk

Over the coming weeks it is important our community looks out of each other, please think about your neighbours or elderly people nearby, give them a quick phone call to check all is well and please offer help if you can.

If you are or know someone in need of help, Cllr Rod Bevan is organising coordinators and volunteers to call on for essential supplies, prescriptions and wellbeing contact.

Contact Rod Bevan rodneyjbevan@gmail.com or Tel 01544340347 between 9am and 5pm.

There is also a Facebook page and Whats app Next end/Rhyse lane/Whittern group and a Village Whats App group 

If you are able to volunteer you please let us know lyonshallparishclerk@gmail.com or help in the wider county please contact www.herefordshire.gov.uk/covid19help

There are some local business offering home delivery. Here are some but by all means not all. If you know of any others please let us know and we will update the list.

Lyonshall Garden Centre – For your gardening needs – 01544340214

Townsend Farm Shop – https://www.thewhatmeatcompany.co.uk or Call 01544388527

The Steppes – deliveries from the shop - 01544388506

Red Lion for Takeaway -  01544388007

Bells in Almeley – 01544327216 – email – thebellsinnalmeley.com

Helpful Links

NHS – Information on Symptoms

Herefordshire Council – Information

Gov.uk – Masses of information for all areas

Please remember there are scam operating on all platforms.

•          Do not give your bank details to anyone claiming to help you. Never give your PIN number to anyone either.
•          Do not click through on emails or other message links  - visit their webpage instead
•          Do not sign contracts with third parties who claim to be acting on behalf of the Council.

Link to information from Herefordshire Council for Businesses

WISH is a Herefordshire based resource where you can find help and support in the County.

https://www.wisherefordshire.org 

A new section has been added to this website 'Coronavirus  Update' which will contain general information relating to the epidemic and more specifically details of the support and help available locally.  It has details of the most recent, more strict, restrictions which will have an impact on the lives of everyone and underlines the need to communicate as much as possible and seek help when it is needed.

Please note Lyonshall Playground is CLOSED until further notice.

An open Facebook group 'Lyonshall Herefordshire' has been formed in response to the current need for social distancing and limits on many activities.  The intention is to offer support our local community with practical assistance with dog walking, shopping etc.  Facebook users just have to search for 'Lyonshall Herefordshire' and apply to join the group.

Herefordshire council’s Economic Development Team delivers a service called the Marches Growth Hub Herefordshire.  This online service offers FREE support services for all local businesses.  There are a number of government supported initiatives that can potentially help businesses through this unprecedented time of uncertainty. 

If you are a business wishing to have further information on Covid-19 then the details of the local support are available on the Marches Growth Hub Website - https://www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk/advice-and-support/coronavirus-information-for-businesses/  Alternatively if you wish to discuss with a member of the Economic Development team please contact01432 261758 or 01432 383633 or business@herefordshire.gov.uk 

www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The Country Diary page has all the latest updates including a paper on Lyonshall wetlands. Check it out here.

Many apologies for the lateness of this bulletin. Where does the time go? All the August news available here. The next one will be along soon.

All the latest news on Lyonshall wildlife now available. There is an additional item about the danger to our native oaks in the information section. Click here.

The April update on Lyonshall Country Diary is now available on this link.

All the latest news from the Lyonshall wildlife watchers are available on this link. Thanks to you all.

Sorry the February Country Diary is late. I'm afraid life sometimes intervenes to delay. Follow this link to get the update.

Here is the first Lyonshall Country Diary of 2019. You will see that Julia has been making some interesting comparisons with previous years. Contributions and sightings come in from lots of local watchers. Many thanks to them all and please keep information flowing in. You will find January news and information about Isobel's Oak on this link.

We are already well into 2019 and I hope our many wildlife spotters will continue to send in sightings to Julia. Check out the news for December last year on this link.

If you were wondering what was happening in the great outdoors in Lyonshall, wonder no more. Thanks to our wildlife watchers overseen by Julia Evans there is a month by month update of sightings on our Country Diary page, click here.

Many thanks to all contributors and a good 2019 to all our readers.

Look out for local news here