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May 2020 May 2020
Our first challenge was to comply with government guidance and restrict the
COVID-19- AFFPUDDLE CHURCHYARD number of customers going into the shop and PO at any one time and so, with
MOWING SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER thanks to the village hall committee, we have been able to establish somewhere
sheltered to “queue” at a safe distance.
NOTICE
The second and biggest challenge was to find stock. Under an old arrangement
we source the stock for the shop primarily from Sainsbury’s but we experienced
It is with very considerable regret that due to the global COVID-19 pandemic we the same problem as you probably have had in receiving deliveries with many
have had to suspend all churchyard mowing until further notice. This is due to the products missing. Leonora and a few other friends have done a fantastic job in
risk of contamination while working with church mowing equipment as well as visiting various stores on multiple evenings in the week to purchase what they
while attending to its refuelling and maintenance. We are following the UK could in order to keep the shop as well-stocked as possible. We have also now
Government guidance that everyone should stay at home and go out as little as secured a wider stock of fresh fruit and vegetables from the market which has
possible. People should only leave home if they have a “reasonable excuse”. This been very well received. We are also very fortunate in that Kevin from Sargents’
includes: Dairy is continuing to deliver in the village and has been able to meet our larger
order. Again, this has avoided many people having to go out to get milk.
Exercise – alone or with members of your household.
With the schools closed Zak and Theo asked what they could do to help and are
Shopping for basic necessities. now delivering newspapers daily. Our newspaper order seems to be increasing
every day!
Any medical need, or providing care for a vulnerable person.
More recently we have been filling and delivering orders for shopping placed
Travel to or from work, but only when you cannot work from home.
through the parish helpline so avoiding the need for people to come into the
Clearly, churchyard mowing does not fall within the above guidelines and this has shop.
governed our decision to suspend churchyard mowing for the time being. We will It has been a difficult time for us all; for those who on a day-to-day basis who had
of course review the decision in line with government guidelines.
been running the shop in many cases having to step aside and for those taking
Meanwhile, the churchwardens wish to thank everyone for their forbearance at over in learning so many lessons. The new team has been on quite a learning
this extremely difficult time. It goes without saying that when the time comes to curve and, inevitably, we haven’t always got it right but, bear with us, we are
resume churchyard mowing there will be a great deal of work to be done and it getting there! This is a great parish to live in and everyone has stepped up in
will be a case of ”all hands to the pumps’ to restore the churchyard to its former supporting and being supported in this unique time.
glory. In the meantime keep well and standby!
If you think we may be able to help you can either;
Stephen Sanderson, Churchwarden
Pop in and see us – Monday to Saturday 9.00am to noon, Sunday 10.00am to
noon; or
Ring us during opening hours on 01929 472000; or
e-mail the parish helpline – parishhelpline@gmail.com; or
Ring the parish helpline on 07745 796118
When you respond to advertisers, do please tell them you saw
The Post Office is also open 5 days a week and provides all your day-to-day
their advert in this magazine - it helps them monitor the needs, including cash withdrawals.
effectiveness of their advert and helps us generate more I am sure when life returns to ‘normal’ once again – whenever and whatever that
turns out to be - new friendships and relationships will continue.
advertising revenue!!
Ali Chorley
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