Message to the Parish

Hello fellow parishioners, I hope this finds you safe and well. 

These are certainly some strange and interesting times as we are all adjusting to the restrictions that we are all facing and the challenges that come with them. Despite that, we know that people are finding new ways to stay at home either together or alone while still staying in touch with neighbours, friends, volunteers and families despite the limitations of social distancing.

We are heartened to see the unbelievable and kind responses from within the parish and would like to say a big thank you to all of those people that have either given up their own time and safety to go out and help someone else or who as part of their job have had to be out and about providing all of the every day things that we have taken for granted, but which we now think more carefully about and are grateful for.

The parish in general is quite quiet and peaceful, however there are still issues that need to be sorted out. The office staff are available and the grounds staff are, like many other key workers, still out in the village keeping things safe and tidy. They are working reduced hours but are undertaking safety checks, emptying bins and keeping an eye on things generally.

Although most areas of the village are quiet and people have been following government guidelines there are the odd instances where we have been able to respond. We have tried to keep most of our playing fields and public spaces open but we are keeping this under constant review. The Police have been out and about and are keeping their Facebook page up to date with posts from around the area. We are continuing to work with them, especially with areas that are giving cause for concern. If you have a worry, there is a page on their website with lots of information as well as a section on how to report concerns about people not following the guidance https://www.hampshire.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/c19/coronavirus-covid-19/.

Normally at this time of the month agendas for Parish Meetings would be going up across the village as well as appearing on the website and our social media. Government has allowed parish councils to change their normal practices, to either cancel meetings or to hold them remotely. We are planning on holding our Planning Committee meeting utilising online technology on Monday 20th April and will resume Council meetings in May. 

The Council has been using technology to hold internal meetings. The use of technology has also highlighted new ways of working which, after 2 weeks working from home, now seem a natural part of a normal working day. 
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Finally, there’s no telling how profound the change will be when all this is done – but let’s make sure at the very least that we are more aware of the people we depend upon each and every day for our wellbeing, safety and security.