Local news that may affect Eydon residents
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!
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!
If 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
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/
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).
N_Fire_Comm_Halloween_News_Letter_20_V3_med
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.
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.
vj75
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.
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.
Every year, the village looks forward to the annual fete, which is usually held on the first Sunday in September and raises funds for three village organisations: St Nicholas Church, the Village Hall and the community Sports Field.
This year, of course, all events have been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. So the committee came up with a new idea: a socially distanced Village Promenade with stalls along the High Street, hand sanitisers were available at every stall. There was even a social distancing monitor, who patrolled the street with his measuring tape.
The day began with a fun run at 11 a.m., with the Village Promenade running from noon through to 3 p.m. The Promenade was opened by our own village ‘crier’, Matthew Tasker, with his bell.
All the usual attractions were there: Made In Eydon, with food made by villagers, the book and bottle stalls, as well as Play Your Cards Right and Hook a Duck. You could also buy cupcakes, have a drink at the bar, or have a hot dog. You could buy a raffle ticket (I fancied the third prize, a flight in a Gypsy Moth but unfortunately didn’t win).
The classic car display was a lot smaller this year, but still very interesting and, of course, there was live music from our resident oboe player, Kim, and you could also see a display from the village Historical society.
It was lovely to see so many residents come out to enjoy the day, and to see friends I hadn’t seen since before lockdown began in March.
Hopefully next year things will get back to normal.
Parish Cllr. Carol Henson
For all those of us wishing to improve the greenness of their homes, perhaps a scheme currently being promoted by South Northants Council may be worth a look.
All the information you need can be found via:
CORONAVIRUS AND EYDON – A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PARISH COUNCIL
In the face of increasing threat from coronavirus, we have decided upon a PLAN FOR THE WORST – HOPE FOR THE BEST approach to try and protect the health and well being of residents. We have contacted local relevant GP Practices for advice: The symptoms of Coronavirus are :
A new persistent dry cough, high temperature above 37.8 and shortness of breath.
If showing these symptoms please do not visit a GP SURGERY,PHARMACY OR HOSPITAL directly until instructed.
Phone 111 to speak to the NHS helpline directly, 111 also has an online Coronavirus service that can be accessed at https://111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19
For information about local assistance in Eydon please visit Coronavirus Eydon document available in the miscellaneous document archive.
The information relevant to the financial year 2019/20 can be found on the Accounts listing in the Archive section. Further information is available if required from the Clerk via eydonpcclerk@gmail.com
The Village Design Statements is now posted in the Archive area of the site. This was adopted last year and now forms part of local planning considerations. A higher-definition version is available from www.southnorthants.gov.uk/Eydon_Village_Design_Statement.pdf