Update from Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council

November 4, 2020December 11, 2020 ~ BAACA

Dear Resident

As you are no doubt aware, the Prime Minister has announced a second national lockdown which will start from tomorrow, Thursday, subject to the MPs vote today.

This means that from tomorrow, we will all have to stay at home other than for a few very specific reasons. I recognise how difficult this is in so many different ways; the impact on our businesses that have worked so hard already to introduce COVID safe measures, the impact of being separated from friends and loved ones and the impact particularly on the vulnerable and the isolated.

We are currently talking with Government to confirm exactly what this means in terms of what activities are still allowed, which shops or building may remain open and what support will be available to our most vulnerable residents. We will do our best in the coming days and weeks to outline the kinds of support that will be available for anyone who is struggling, whatever their circumstances. I know our local businesses in particular will find this uncertainty worrying and we are seeking to confirm the level of support that will be available as soon as we are able to.

The situation in Buckinghamshire

This is a very quick update and as soon as more information is available, I will write again with a fuller update. We do know that all leisure centres in Buckinghamshire will close during this period but our Household Recycling Centres will remain open. We will also be able to update soon on libraries – they will all close from tomorrow but we are hopeful some will then reopen next week on a ‘click and collect’ basis i.e. to pick up pre ordered books or drop off returns and to provide computer access.

For now, please be aware that locally, cases have continued to rise at a very worrying pace, especially in the former South Bucks District area.

Overall in Buckinghamshire there are now 115 cases per 100,000 people. In the former South Bucks District area the case rate now stands at 200 cases per 100,000 people, up from 161 in a matter of a few days since I last wrote to you. And very alarmingly, we are seeing a very significant increase in cases in the over 60 years now, again, especially in the South Bucks area with a case rate of 181 cases per 100,000 people in that age group. Sadly, as we all know, this will almost inevitably lead to more hospital admissions and more people becoming seriously ill from this virus.

Please act now

In light of these figures I urge everyone to limit their movements ahead of the lockdown and to take great care if you do decide to head out. Now is not the time for a final ‘hurrah’ before things close. Please make sure you strictly adhere to the hands/face/space guidance, staying at least two metres/six feet from anyone you don’t live with unless you’re in a support or childcare bubble with them.

Testing

It’s essential that if you or anyone you live with develops symptoms of coronavirus, no matter how mild, that the whole household isolates immediately and that anyone with symptoms gets a test. We have significantly increased testing capacity in Bucks now with new walk-through centres available so you should be able to book a test if you need to.

I will write again soon with more detail as it comes through, in the meantime please keep checking our social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and our website for any updates.

Stay safe and look after yourselves and each other,

Martin Tett,

Leader, Buckinghamshire Council

TVP Alert: Dark nights

November 3, 2020 ~ BAACA

As we go into the winter months please ensure your shed and any outbuildings are secure. Although it might sound like stating the obvious, never leave your shed door unlocked if you are not around.

Consider checking that your insurance covers the contents of your shed or outbuildings from theft.

The top five most common items stolen from sheds are:

Bikes
Mowers
Sports equipment
Power tools
Garden tools

It is worth having a good padlock on the door with no exposed screws. Pay attention to hinges, as these are sometimes easily removable. If you have windows then these could be vulnerable unless they are secured with wire mesh or grills.

Consider a battery-operated shed alarm.

Do not give thieves the opportunity or the tools to commit a crime, lock them inside a locker or box or secure with a chain.

Secure your bike to the ground or a lockable stand within a locked shed or garage.

It is always worth draping an old sheet or blanket over the top of mowers or bikes to keep them covered from view.

Detached garages

These are often tucked away from the view of passing traffic or local residents, so are often targeted by thieves.

When was the last time you visited your garage and ensured the garage door lock actually works?

Garage doors are usually light weight and supplied with only a basic type lock that can be forced with a screwdriver or similar bladed tool so could benefit from the installation of additional security locks. Mortice locks or lockable bolts fitted down towards the bottom corners reduce the risk of offenders gaining access by prising the bottom of the door outwards.

Think about chaining items to secure shelves and installing anchor points to which motor bikes or bicycles can be padlocked inside your garage.

Consider installing a battery-operated alarm. They look low key but respond to movement or door contact with an extremely loud siren.

Consider security marking and registering tools and other items that you store in your garage so they can be identified at www.immobilise.com

Encourage your friends and relatives to sign up to Thames Valley Alerts at www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk

You can find further crime prevention advice on our website https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/

Please contact us if you have any information relating to crime in your neighbourhood. Report online at www.thamesvalley.police.uk call us on 101 or in an emergency dial 999.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on free phone 0800 555 111.

Thank you.
Message Sent By
Ian Stacey (Police, Neighbourhood Policing Administrator, Chiltern & South Bucks)

St John’s Bellingdon – Sunday Service 1st November 2020

October 31, 2020May 10, 2021 ~ BAACA

Dear all

In what seems like no time at all it’s Saturday again and so time to upload our the service for St John’s Bellingdon for Sunday 1st November onto YouTube.

Once again we’ve filmed most of it in church and continued with the words and images together – and we’ve stayed with the slightly different angle so that you can still see the flowers and the communion table.

This week our Psalm is Psalm 34 verse 1-10 and readings are 1 John 3:1-3 and Revelation 7:9-17 and they are read by Terry and Tricia Cherill with Jill Dwight leading the intercessions, and Geoff Houston is preaching!

It is on the Parish YouTube channel as usual – and this link should take you there

but it’s in the same place as usual and you’ve lots of experience now of on line services!

As before the service is available after 09.45 tomorrow when it goes public (and live)!

I’ve attached the notice sheets for St Mary’s and the Parish.

Our next afternoon service in the building is due to be on 8th November – Remembrance Sunday. Hopefully we’ll be able to meet and I’ll send out more details during the week.

With prayers and best wishes to you all

Tim

st-marys-notices-1-november-2020 Download

parish-notices-1-november-2020 Download

Foodbank: thank you to everyone who contributed

October 28, 2020October 29, 2020 ~ BAACA

Thank you very much to everyone who left contributions for Foodbank at St John’s. Every contribution makes a real difference, especially as they did not receive their usual Harvest Festival food from local schools and churches.

Jane Edmunds

St John’s Bellingdon – Sunday Service 25th October 2020

October 24, 2020May 10, 2021 ~ BAACA

Dear all

It’s Saturday again and so time to upload our service for St John’s Bellingdon for Sunday 25th October onto YouTube.

This week our Psalm is Psalm 27 and readings are Isaiah 59:9-20 and Luke 14:1-34 and they are read by Chris Emery with Linda leading the intercessions both recorded in church building! And Edward Bowes-Smith is preaching!

It is on the Parish YouTube channel as usual – and this link should take you there https://youtu.be/lguy4BBsVsQ but it’s in the same place as usual and you’ve lots of experience now of online services!