Westminster Park Residents Association

Bringing our community alive

March 21, 2020
by Jennifer Crew
0 comments

Suspension of green bin collections

Please note: from Thursday 19 March all collections of garden waste will be suspended so that resources can be concentrated on maintaining a regular household refuse collection service.
 
It might be a good idea to put garden rubbish in a green garden sack or similar and take to the recycling facility on Bumpers Lane for the foreseeable future as there may not be any collections for months to come. If you live near someone who might find this difficult, please be a good neighbour and give them a ring with an offer to take theirs too.

March 21, 2020
by Dave Craggs
0 comments

It’s good to talk!

Think I need to tidy up the office!

Hi all,

We are definitely in interesting times! Many people are self isolating, others very much limiting contact with the outside world.

But we do all need to communicate. Fortunately there are MANY options out there as well as the boring old phone call to talk to friends and family. Calling with video can make for a much better experience. Plus many of them allow for group chats so you can still meet up with friends virtually.

If you have a modern laptop, tablet or just your mobile phone, you are good to go. If you have a desktop computer, you will need to add a webcam and microphone, although some webcams come with a microphone built in.

Much has been said recently of Zoom. This is an enterprise product, but it does have a free option. I may look at this myself to do some online karate classes for my club. Others have used this for choir practice and other club meetings.

But there are many other options.

Facebook messenger can be used to make video calls.

Skype and Google Hangouts are also popular and good for group meetings and can also be used for screen sharing.

And of course there is always Whats App, Face time, and others.

So if you have not tried this before, now is the ideal time to give this a go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 21, 2020
by Jennifer Crew
0 comments

Latest Advice from Public Health England

Here is a link to the latest advice issued by Public Health England for households with suspected Covid-19.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection#things-to-help-you-prepare-now

March 18, 2020
by Dave Craggs
1 Comment

Information for residents in self-isolation relying on volunteers via WPRA

Your safety and well-being is paramount.  We do not have either the time or financial resources to carry out criminal record checks on everyone who is volunteering help, although we do know that they all live locally.  It is therefore very important that you are careful in your dealings with someone that you don’t know.

  1. Coronavirus is contagious. Goods will be delivered to your door by volunteers.  If you answer the door to them, keep your distance (2-3 metres) to avoid contact.
  2. Keep a disinfectant spray/wipes to hand to clean your bell push/knocker/door handles. We are asking volunteers to wear disposable gloves, but these may not always be available.  Protect yourself.
  3. Be vigilant in matters of finance. If volunteers collect shopping for you, you will have to arrange payment. You must agree in advance with the volunteer how this is to be done – by cash, cheque or bank transfer.  NEVER GIVE ANYONE YOUR BANK CARD AND PIN NUMBER.
  4. Some local shops accept orders and payment over the phone – Bebbington’s butchers and Bebbington & Williams fishmongers at present. You can phone ahead and your volunteer can collect.  The supermarkets are still trying to organise telephone payment, but Broughton Post Office is offering home deliveries of groceries to the housebound (01244 531246).
  5. The veg shop in Handbridge offers deliveries – ExSqeezeMe tel: 637960 exsqueezemechester@gmail.com
  6. Morton’s Dairies deliver locally on Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 01244 374422, https://www.mortonsdairies.co.uk/  Not just milk – a whole range of products.
  7. Francis Thomas (now based in town only) are offering to take orders and deliver supplies of fresh fruit, salad and vegetables as well as milk, bread, butter and eggs. Deliveries are currently planned for Tuesdays and Thursdays and orders should be placed a day in advance. There is no minimum order and no delivery charge.  When you have placed your order they will ring you back to take a card payment or you can arrange to leave cash.  They will give you an approximate time of delivery.
  8. Although most supermarket delivery systems are over-whelmed, it might still be possible to place a ‘Click and Collect’ order which your volunteer could collect for you.

Please remember that many volunteers are still working or looking after children and may not be available at all times.  It goes without saying that we should all be kind, courteous and patient in our dealings with each other.

If you have any comments on how this system is working or can be improved, please let me know – we are all feeling our way in this unprecedented situation.

With all best wishes

Jennifer Crew

Chair, WPRA

March 16, 2020
by Dave Craggs
0 comments

Evergreens Meetings Suspended

The Evergreen Committee met on Thursday afternoon and the impact of Coronavirus/Covid-19 was discussed at length.  Later that afternoon the PM broadcast to the nation and since then events have changed rapidly and your Committee has regretfully decided that the only responsible way forward will be to cancel Evergreen meetings for the time being as we have many members in the age group which are most vulnerable.   We are very sorry to have come to this decision as we did not want to stop social contact earlier than necessary.  We will contact members as soon as it would appear that meetings can resume.

The Residents’ Association is proposing to set up a scheme where shopping and medication could be picked up for those who require it, Evergreen will be involved with this where it can.  If you want to know more please contact Committee members.

March 16, 2020
by Jennifer Crew
0 comments

CORONAVIRUS LOCAL SUPPORT NETWORK

Can you help – or do you need help?

In response to the Coronavirus situation, Westminster Park Residents’ Association is setting up a support system for local residents who are likely to need to isolate themselves in the near future.

We would like to hear from you if:

  • You are likely to be self-isolating in the near future (ie you are over 70 or have underlying health issues). Even if you do not require immediate help, it will help us to plan to support you later.
  • You are willing to offer help, whether that is collecting and delivering urgent supplies, the daily newspaper or just picking up the phone and chatting to someone for a few minutes.

Please ring me on 07752 854383 or email me at chair@wp-ra.org.uk  with the following details: your name, address and telephone number.  Or even just pop a note through my door at 7 Dennis Drive.  I can then co-ordinate your responses to develop a local network.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards

Jennifer Crew

Chair, Westminster Park Residents’ Association