Working together with the East of England Ambulance Service, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and other public service partners, Norfolk Police are hoping to spread some positivity and happiness through these difficult days of lockdown.
We are grateful to our local communities who have listened to the Government guidance to stay at home in order to help protect the NHS and save lives – and now we want to say thank you and show solidarity for the stay at home message in support of the emergency services and all key workers.
To compliment the NHS Rainbow campaign and to demonstrate how the blue light services and other agencies are working together to help protect and support the NHS, we are encouraging communities to display Sunflowers in their windows. These can be drawn, painted, knitted, or created in any other way. Find out more on our website > https://www.norfolk.police.uk/news/latest-news/20-04-2020/sunflower-campaign-supports-frontline-services
There is now a central contact point in place for all residents in Norfolk requiring support. Individuals in need should call 0344 8008020. More details can be found by clicking here.
A team at the County Council will assess calls, identifying existing Children’s and Adult’s Social Care clients and passing other requests through to district community hubs to implement the support needed.
All residents will have received letters sent by their district council providing details of support options. Individuals who have been identified as vulnerable may also have received additional letters from the NHS and local GPs. Local District Councils have also been calling individuals who have been identified as vulnerable as part of a collective effort to get help where it is needed.
An Easy-Read format of this information is available by clicking here.
Mundford Parish Council were awarded funding from Norfolk Community Foundation to support volunteers by purchasing protective gloves to enable them to deliver food supplies and pick up prescriptions for the vulnerable.This will also provide urgent food supplies to the vulnerable should they be struggling to buy basic necessities.
Quote from Norfolk Community Foundation Jenny Bevan, Head of Programmes, said: ‘Norfolk Community Foundation is delighted to support this much needed project that will make a real difference in the community. We wish them every success with their work.’ For further information on applying for funding go to Norfolk Community Foundation’s website www.norfolkfoundation.com.
The link below is to assist with finding the latest information about what public transport services are operating during Covid-19 social distancing. If a member of the public in Norfolk is having trouble accessing essential services or supplies please call 0344 800 8020.
April is the month of Easter, celebrated this year on 12th April. It is a great time of hope and celebration for the church.
Many events and celebrations have been planned and prepared, which now have to be put on hold to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The situation has challenged us to find new ways of interacting with people, and of being the church in our area.
We are instructed not to hold public services but where possible to keep the churches open, and available for people who wish to pray and reflect there. Attempts are being made to make resources available and to keep in touch with church members by email.
There are several baptisms and a few weddings taking place in our village churches over the next few weeks and months, and this is also a sign of hope for the future. These ‘occasional offices’ may be carried out, provided we observe required distances between people and disinfect our hands and equipment carefully before and afterwards.
The positive aspect of this crisis has been the goodwill and care offered by people to their vulnerable relatives and neighbours. If you, or someone you know, is battling with shopping or other everyday tasks and still needs help, you are welcome to contact me on 01366 328921.
Let us encourage one another, as Spring arrives, and colourful flowers blanket the ground. I am particularly enjoying the white and pink hawthorn blossoms (yes, I am learning the names of the local trees), and daffodils in bloom are guaranteed to lift one’s mood.
I would like to conclude with a prayer for those who are in isolation (circulated by the Church of England).
Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us to love our neighbour and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you. In this time of anxiety, give us strength to comfort the fearful, to care for the sick and to assure the isolated of our love and your love for your Name’s sake. Amen.
Wishing you all good health, and the Joys of Spring.
Rev Linda Lubbe
Associate priest in the Mundford, Hilborough and Oxborough groups of churches.
Farming Help providing
support for farmers affected by Covid-19
The Farming Help Charities – Addington Fund, Farming
Community Network (FCN), Forage Aid, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution
(R.A.B.I), and RSABI, supported by The Prince’s Countryside Fund – are working
together to support the Farming Community during the current Coronavirus
(Covid-19) outbreak.
We recognise that this could be an anxious time for many
farmers and farming families and periods of poor health or self-isolation may
result in temporary practical difficulties on farm.
This initiative is in conjunction
with The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, The National Farmers’
Union, and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.
Utilising our Farming Help helpline (operated by FCN) and
respective organisations/volunteer networks, we can offer the following local
support. Get in touch on 03000 111 999 if you:
·
Feel concerned or anxious and would like to talk to someone who
understands farming, will listen to you and help you think through your options
·
Would like help to draft a contingency plan to ensure you and your farm
are prepared, should you be unable to work for a time.
· If you
or people you rely on become ill or are self-isolating and you need to find
help locally- we will endeavour to find support for you in your local area. We
will source contact details of local organisations and groups who may be able
to assist you in finding help to feed livestock, collect shopping or collect
prescriptions if you are unable to do so. This directory will be revised and
updated in the coming weeks and months.
It is with regret that we have to inform you, due to recent Government advice and with consideration of the health and age group of many of our guests, that our event for the 21st of March has been postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
This post has Coronavirus (Covid-19) information for residents in Mundford and area.
Volunteers
Local Help is Available
If you need help with shopping, collecting prescriptions or just want a chat, you are welcome to call on the volunteers who are listed below.
Local Volunteers Needed
If you would like to help vulnerable people get essential supplies in Mundford, Cranwich, Ickburgh, West Tofts and Lyndford, please contact the Parish Clerk, with your name, address, telephone number and the hours that you are available.
Volunteers Available Now
Please have your money ready to pay for your goods.
Julie Pullen – 07366 609243 (8am to 8pm, but can be flexible)
Hayley Rose – 07804 582220 (Text message only please. Can drop off food from CostCutters 1pm-3pm.)
Sarah Pymer – please contact the office (flexible hours)
Serena Barnes – 07769 680762 (8am to 8pm)
Ricky – 07805 572097
Marise – 07795 466646
Molly – 07949 622488
Helen Hall – 01842 879766
Clare Pattison – please contact the office if you would like to receive a letter or phone call
If you are volunteering, you may be entitled to COVID vaccine. Please contact you GP to check.
Voluntary Norfolk, Momentum and Community Action Norfolk are working with Norfolk County Council and local health providers to recruit volunteers for a countywide effort to respond to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis. We are particularly keen to hear from people who have the skills to volunteer in health and social care roles, which have been identified as priority areas. If you are interested, please click to register.
Delivery Services
Feltwell Golf Club are kindly offering a home cooked meal delivery service. For full details, please click to read the menu.
Yallops (CostCutters) are offering a home delivery service, call 01842 878287.
Cancellations
There are no services at St Leonard’s Church, or any other churches, until further notice. For further information, please refer to the noticeboard or click to view the church services page.
Parish Office
Due to recent advice from the government, Mundford Parish Council have decided to close the office for the time being. All contact should be by email or telephone. The clerk will check telephone messages a couple of times a week. The clerk will be available by email at the usual times of Monday to Friday, 9am to 11am. The council apologise for any inconvenience.
Here are some general resources about Coronavirus (Covid-19) which have been produced to support people with a learning disability and their families and carers, but that apply to us all.
Spring is in the air. Snowdrops and other early flowering plants are sprouting. So much beauty around, after the barrenness of winter.
The cold weather is still with us, however, along with hazardous driving conditions when the roads are covered in ice in the early mornings. A few weeks ago, I eventually had to give up trying to get to Cranwich Church for choir practice on a Saturday morning, as a whole section of road was cordoned off by police because there had been a bad road accident.
We have been through two serious storms – Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis, accompanied by flooding, damage to property and dangerous road conditions. On one occasion, I saw a car in a ditch on its side, just outside Foulden.
The church season of Lent began on the 24th February. Lent is a time of reflection, when we prepare ourselves for the great celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter. It is a time of discipline when we take on an extra commitment, such as attending a Lent discussion group. Lent is a six week period, which originated in the early centuries of the church as a time when adult converts were prepared for baptism. They would be baptized at Easter, during an all-night vigil. Before this, they had undergone a special course of instruction and preparation which lasted six weeks and this is the background to the tradition of Lent.
During Lent, there will be special soup lunches at Mundford bowls club on Saturdays, from 12 noon and at the Rectory, Elm Place, Gooderstone on Wednesdays, from 4th March, also from 12 noon. All are welcome to join these occasions of fellowship, sharing and discussion.
On the 21st March, the 75th anniversary of the Lancaster bomber crash in the forest will be commemorated at 1.00 pm. A service will be led at the site by Archdeacon Ian Bentley and representatives of the air force. This will be followed by a tea in the Mundford bowls club. Please join us as we remember this important event in local history.
Another special occasion is coming up at the end of the month – the Village Voices are celebrating five years of singing together, with a concert at Cranwich Church on Saturday, 28th March at 2.30pm All are, of course, most welcome.
Hoping for better weather, and generally better conditions in the coming months.
God bless.
Rev Linda Lubbe
Associate priest in the Mundford, Hilborough and Oxborough groups of churches.