Local news that may affect Eydon residents

Parish Council Elections – 6th May 2021

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

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Ever thought of being a parish councillor? We are holding elections!

Expressions of interest are welcomed from anyone who is over 18 years old and is an elector of the parish.

As a councillor representing your community you will help keep it a great place to live and work.

You will be supported in your role and will be expected to undertake training. You should be comfortable working electronically, with a positive outlook, a “can-do” attitude, and be willing to work as part of a dedicated team of volunteers.

Eydon Parish Council currently meets in the evening on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. If you care about your community and would like to help make a real difference then why not…

Become a Parish Councillor!

If you are interested in joining the council, please contact:

Mr Andy Hartley
Clerk to Eydon Parish Council
Beech House
17 Deans Row
Gayton
Northants
NN7 3HA

01604 858360 / 07791906773
email: clerk@eydon-village.co.uk

 

You must:

be at least 18 years old and be a British citizen, or an eligible Commonwealth citizen and meet at least one of the following four qualifications:

  1. You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the parish/community in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards.
  2. You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the parish/community area during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.
  3. Your main or only place of work during the 12 months prior to the day of your nomination and the day of election has been in the parish/community area.
  4. You have lived in the parish/community area or within three miles of it during the whole of the 12 months before the day of your nomination and the day of election.

Byfield Medical Centre – COVID-19 Vaccinations

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

COVID VACCINES
We are receiving up to 80 calls a day from patients asking when they will get their vaccine or how can they move up the priority list. We are currently not able to vaccinate patients.

All our patients are currently being vaccinated at Weedon Medical Centre.

Currently the only people being vaccinated are the over 80’s, people in care homes and their carers and front line NHS Staff.

We can not ‘bump’ you up the list, we also CAN NOT tell when you are likely to be vaccinated – sorry we do not know when the vaccine will be available more widely.

Weedon is vaccinating approximately 1,000 patients per week, approximately 200 of those are our patients so you can see this is going to be a slow process until the government either opens a mass vaccination site locally or allows practices to vaccinate their own patients.
Calling the surgery will not I am sorry to say get you vaccinated more quickly and is blocking the phone lines.

We understand the frustration and uncertainty and would love to be able to roll out the vaccination programme here. We hope this will be a possibility in the near future.

COVID-19 vaccination phishing SMS text message

/in COVID-19, News/by Eydon Parish Council

There has been an increasing trend of COVID-19 phishing and SMS text message scams, prompting the NCSC to publish materials to raise awareness (see attached leaflet).

As it stands, there are five key trends:

 Fake URL links claiming to redirect you to GOV.UK website to claim relief payments.
 Lockdown fines suggesting you have breached government regulations.
 Offers of health supplements that will prevent you from being infected.
 Financial support that appears to be from your bank.
 Fake text messages claiming to be from the NHS advising individuals that they are eligible to apply for vaccine, but requiring sensitive data such as financial information to make a payment.

To protect yourself and those close to you:

 Keep abreast of the news: As awful as it may seem, knowledge of attack methods and techniques will hone the ability to separate fact from fiction.
 Never click links within emails or text messages: Links take you to fake websites.
 Never call back using an unrecognised SMS phone number: This could lead you to speaking directly with a criminal or criminal organisation.
 Use official channels: For example, use GOV.UK to find relevant information about COVID support and support services. Once the official communication channels are known you can verify information and find out what the next steps are.
 Guard your data: A legitimate organisation won’t make unsolicited requests for sensitive information or payments. For example, the vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups. Use the official NHS app only available from Google Play or Apple Store for more.
 Don’t give into pressure: If someone tries to coerce you into giving them sensitive information, end the conversation.
 Watch your digital footprint. Cyber criminals will use social media accounts and relevant websites to research you and make their scams more effective. Request the removal of unnecessary information and check your privacy settings for every account.

Reporting
Please report all Fraud and Cybercrime to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or online.
Forward suspicious emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk.
Report SMS scams by forwarding the original message to 7726 (spells SPAM on the keypad).

Byfield Medical Centre – Lockdown Procedures

/in COVID-19, News/by Eydon Parish Council

From Tracey Rymer – Practice Manager.

We will still be triaging patients by phone and will only call into the surgery those that the clinician feels needs to be seen.

From tomorrow all medication will be delivered by our volunteers. You will NOT be able to come to the medical centre to collect this. Deliveries will be like they were in March, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The front door of the medical centre will be closed, and there will be a bell to attract the attention of the reception staff who will come and let you in after checking you have an appointment.

As we are sure you are aware the number of COVID cases in our area is rising sharply – please follow government advice and stay safe everyone.

All Change for Councils in Northamptonshire

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

Local government in Northamptonshire is changing.

The existing system, which has been in place since the 1970s, is like a three-tier cake.  The bottom layer is parish and town councils which typically cover one village or town.  The middle layer is borough and district councils, which are responsible for things like planning applications, collecting the bins, tourism, and dealing with benefits.  The top layer is the county council, which is responsible for things like social services, education, and highways.

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From 1 April 2021 the top two layers of the cake are being replaced with one layer, known as unitary councils.  There will be two in Northamptonshire: North Northamptonshire Council, and West Northamptonshire Council.  Parish and town councils remain as they are.

West Northamptonshire Council West Northamptonshire Council will cover the area currently covered by Daventry District Council, Northampton Borough Council, and South Northamptonshire Council.  The area contains the towns of Northampton, Daventry, Towcester and Brackley and nearly two hundred villages and hamlets.  West Northamptonshire Council will be one of the larger unitary councils in England.  It will be responsible for all the services currently being provided in the area by the district, borough, and county councils.

The main reason for replacing the district, borough and county councils with unitary councils is to save money.  Northamptonshire County Council had well-publicised financial issues in 2017 and 2018, which led to a government inspection of the council.  The inspector’s report recommended that creating unitary councils was the best solution.

Most people will not notice any difference, certainly in the first few years of the unitary councils.  In fact, great efforts are being made to ensure that is the case.  For example, the lorry collecting the rubbish might have a different logo on it, but the bins will still be collected.  Council services will continue as normal, and any changes will be gradual.

From 2021 you will see three lines on your council tax bill.  You will pay an amount for the parish or town council that looks after your village or town, an amount for Northamptonshire Police, and an amount for West Northamptonshire Council for all the council services it provides.  The amount you pay to each body is set by that body.

West Northamptonshire Council will have 93 councillors, who will be chosen at the local elections on 6 May 2021.  Some will be people who have been district, borough, and county councillors before; others will be new.  Anyone over 18 and living in West Northamptonshire can put themselves forward to be a councillor.   The councillors elected in 2021 will serve a four-year term of office and may seek re-election in 2025.

Council meetings are held in public, and all the information, reports, and papers for the meetings are published on the council’s web site.  Councils are open and democratic bodies and are accountable to the people they serve.

If you are interested to find out more about the changes happening to local government in Northamptonshire please visit https://futurenorthantswest.org/.

Bins – A Request from the Parish Council

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

The village is dark and cold in the winter.

With longer nights and more people trying to get their exercise locally, it would be really helpful if villagers could keep their bins tight against the wall as possible, and leave them out for collection for as short a time as possible.

It will help in preventing any unfortunate accidents!

A Few Words From the Parish Council Chairman

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

So, as I write this on the 23rd November we are more than halfway through lockdown 2, the Parish Council met on the 10th just after the lockdown was announced, and later today Prime Minister is to announce any Christmas arrangements and by all accounts any new tier system after we come out of this lockdown. 

So where are we?  Hard to say the lockdown isn’t as stringent as before, and certainly to my eyes traffic through the Village is almost at normal levels. An increase in people exercising again, many walkers and cyclists having reappeared. Some new puppies and kittens have joined the families in the Village.

Unfortunately the Royal Oak and other hospitality and non essential businesses had to close again or modify their operation  – what a struggle they are having.

Villagers are once again really looking out for each other, I have encountered many instances of neighbours doing what good neighbours do –  helping each other. 

The PC decided that we didn’t need to do a formal activity this time as Villagers know how to get help – ASK – when you need assistance, ask you neighbours or friends in the Village, everyone I have spoken to says the same – we are happy to help!

CoronaVirusIf you have special requirements or a sudden emergency and you need assistance and can’t get help, please don’t hesitate to contact me or another member of the PC, we will do our very best to assist you or find someone who can. No one needs to struggle alone in Eydon we are a community as we have proven this year. 

I still have the list of contact numbers we produced earlier in the year and so we will be able to find someone who can assist you.

As we approach the festive season, it’s going to be different for most of us. We  will have to find different ways to celebrate it. But,  the season of goodwill is needed more than ever and there is light at the end of the tunnel with great news on Vaccine development and hopefully roll out.

So my message is keep safe, continue to observe the rules and guidance, – hands – face – space  etc, and we wait to see what the next stage brings us. 

P Cllr Keith Simmons

Chairman

 

Think Local – Support Small Businesses.

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

Do you run a small business in South Northants?

South Northamptonshire Council invites you to get involved with Small Business Saturday on 5 December.

We are running a range of free webinars and courses, as well as signposting to a vast amount of resources, to help you raise awareness of your business offer, attract new customers and increase sales.

As part of this national initiative, SNC will also be promoting a new “Think local – Support Small Businesses” campaign to consumers and we want to help local businesses maximise the benefit of these opportunities.

Part of the campaign involves, on the 20 November, a virtual visit from the Small Business Saturday bus.  The virtual visit will bring advice and marketing tools that our local small businesses can take advantage of.  In addition to the support available from the campaign team, the SNC Economic Growth team have arranged a range of free webinars and courses to help businesses raise their profile, attract new customers and increase sales, businesses can also sign up to be featured on the Small Business finder, which will increase their reach to their customers.

As November gets closer, more and more of our local businesses will be encouraged to sign up to be part of the national campaign and register to be on this interactive map.  The interactive map can be viewed here: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-business-finder

Further information and details about the Small Business Saturday campaign can be found on the Council’s website: www.southnorthants.gov.uk/smallbizsat

Halloween – Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

This year, given covid-19 restrictions, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the Police in encouraging young people not to trick or treat, but suggesting alternative fun activities instead.

The attached newsletter gives lots of good advice and also details of a pumpkin trail in which families may choose to participate (more details also on the police and fire websites).

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Some residents may want to discourage any “Trick or Treaters” from calling at their door, and so NFRS have provided the attached sign that can be printed and place in a visible location at or near your door. You can download it here.

Byfield & District Royal British Legion

/in News/by Eydon Parish Council

Well, we did do “something” for VJ+75-Day on 15th August, a small service was held around our War Memorial, and we laid a wreath alongside the VE+75 example from 8th May.

The service was sad in a way because it was the last where Rev. Stevie will officiate there for us. Coincidentally at that same ceremony we had to say goodbye to Father James, who is also moving away. This has proved to be a year of great change, and time marches inexorably on.

Byfield VJ+75 Day Ceremony

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Speaking of change, our Poppy Appeal often benefits from your small change but not this year. As things stand, we will not be able to collect door to door, or at static collection points. There is also some question about poppy-pots in shops, pubs and other establishments. It looks like we are going to have to rely on old fashioned cheques or new-fangled digital devices to tap you for cash. If you can spare a few bob, please send the former to Alan, at 8 Becketts Close Byfield NN11 6XS, made-out to TRBL Poppy Appeal or the latter, go to: https://donations.britishlegion.org.uk/donation/oneoff where a donation can be made using card or PayPal. As advised in the last Byword, you could also sponsor a wreath but right now, we are unsure if we can obtain a supply. Then there’s The Poppy Shop where all sorts of poppy related goodies are available on line https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/

 

If you are able to help us on-line, please advise Byfield.MemSecretary@rbl.community so that we can account for your contribution and thank you profusely for it, or just give Alan a call on 260590.

We did manage a get-together for a pub lunch on the last Wednesday of the month in August, where suitably distanced consumption of tasty food, good ale and an exchange of jibber-jabber about nothing in particular was the order of the day. This was our first since February. Since then we have managed a Branch meeting, our first since last winter, in Byfield Rectory’s garden. We hope to continue the same but with Covid restrictions, venues will be a challenge, especially this autumn.

We flew the Red Duster (thanks to Crystl for its loan) on 3rd September, to honour all our Merchant Navy sailors who, not without great sacrifice, kept us fed and fuelled during those many dark days long ago; yet another anniversary that we are committed to preserving.

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On the 10th September our War Memorial celebrated its 100th birthday. Our President, John Russell BEM officiated by saying a few words. He asked us to remember the unveiling and dedication of our Memorial on that same date all those years ago and told tales of its subsequent move to the west, because of the then 150-year-old elm’s roots lifting its base. That tree next the old market cross survived another fifty years before it finally succumbed to age and infirmity. Its location was locally known as The Cross Tree, from whence our last remaining pub derives its name.

And then there’s out annual quiz. We have booked the Village Hall for Friday 27th November where we sincerely hope we will be able to welcome all our regulars, and maybe some new faces? It’s always a “good do”, where friendly rivalry gets more enthusiastic as the evening progresses, and the bar remains open. We are looking forward to the possibility of welcoming you there.