News………..

July 3rd Ramsbury Street Fair contact Ian Smith 07977 473975 if you would like a stall

Local hospitality venues now open

Ramsbury British Legion open for tea/coffee cake sandwiches Wed-Sun 10am -2.00 Sun 10am-4 pm

The Bell restricted hours takeaways available contact 01672 520230 for details

Crown and Anchor Thurs -Sun lunch and dinner contact 01672 520335 for details

Phoenix wood fired pizza every Thursday in the Memorial Hall car park 16.45-20.30 contact 07990 872585 07941 803194 for details

Farr’s fish and chips Memorial Hall car park Wednesdays 16.30-20.30 07394 523623 for details

18 June 2021

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Latest Wiltshire COVID-19 casesThe number of cases in Wiltshire continues to be below the national average but has increased this week.

The rate of cases per 100,000 has gone from 11.4 to 28.2.

We expected numbers to increase as restrictions were lifted.

Please continue to play your part to help keep case numbers low.

Don’t forget to book your COVID-19 vaccine

People aged 18 and over are now eligible to book their COVID-19 vaccine. You do not need to wait to be contacted by your GP practice to book and should use the National Booking Service. This is available online or for those who do not have access to the internet they can book by calling 119 (always put web link first).

Appointment slots for first and second doses are available at all location vaccination sites.

The NHS appreciates that, at times, the system can be busy and some people’s first choice vaccination site may not be listed, but please be assured there are enough appointment slots to go around, so keep trying.

New clinics in locations such as community pharmacies are being set up all the time, and this will help make it easier to book appointments closer to home and places of work or education.

As of 17 June, a total of 579,056 first and second doses have been administered in Wiltshire (excluding Swindon).

Book your COVID-19 vaccine now

Discounted membership at our leisure centres

We’re offering a three month fitness membership for just £99 this summer.

It’s available until 31 August 2021 and could save you over £40 on your monthly fitness membership cost.

If you’ve been thinking about getting back into regular fitness routines, want to return to a membership or just want to get started for the first time; this is a no-contract, short term way of doing so. With the membership you can access the gym, including an induction if required plus public swimming sessions; all other activities, like group exercise classes and racket sport court hire can be purchased at a reduced rate as well.

For more information, or just to have a look around your local leisure centre, please visit our website where you can also find a full list of our leisure facilities.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge cancelled

With this week’s news that the Government is delaying the lifting of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions on 21 June and following discussions with our Public Health team and Wiltshire Police, English Heritage has taken the difficult decision to cancel the planned Summer Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge this year.The occasion will be live streamed for free on English Heritage’s social media channels; last year’s online coverage was enjoyed by a record 5.2m audience. English Heritage will also ensure that small, pre-booked groups from the pagan and druid community can gather on the days around the Summer Solstice to mark this important moment in their calendar.

Full details on the Summer Solstice being cancelled

Help us keep the electoral register up to date

We have started our annual process of ensuring the county’s electoral register is up to date.

Each year the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) has a legal requirement to conduct a canvass to ensure the electoral register is accurate and complete.

This year, due to the Police & Crime Commissioner election taking place on 19 August, the process has started a little earlier than normal.

Some of you have already been contacted via email and been asked to confirm the details for their household are correct. The email, from our electoral services, will ask you to confirm any changes to your details and includes your security codes and steps on how to access your households details.

Please respond to the annual canvass electronically if possible. It’s more convenient for you and saves us valuable money and time. As part of this process, we will never ask you for your bank details.

More information on the annual canvass with FAQs

18-24 year olds invited to join online event

Young people are invited to join an online session to find out more about employment opportunities in Wiltshire this month.The Wiltshire Youth Hub, part of Young Work Wiltshire is hosting the event on 24 June from 4pm for 45 minutes. It will cover a number of topics including:Local Employment opportunities:Kick Start SchemeEmployers RecruitingThe event is aimed at 18 – 24 year olds who are looking for employment in Wiltshire. Young Work Wiltshire is part of the council and we’re supporting the event.If you would like to attend, please register at Learn Live UK.

Don’t forget to renew or sign up for garden waste collections

If you would like your garden waste collections to continue after 30 June please renew your subscription now. New customers can also sign up to receive this service.

The cost of having your garden waste collected will be £50 per bin for the year.

The quickest and easiest way to renew or sign up is online.

Existing customers will need to renew by 30 June to ensure that your collections continue without a break.

Renew your garden waste subscription now

Find out more about the scheme, sign up for one of the engagement events, and take the survey

July 3rd If Covid restrictions allow Ramsbury Street Fair Contact Ian Smith for details and if you would like a stall 07977473975

15 June 2021

Public reminded to keep following the rules following Government roadmap delay

The Prime Minister has confirmed there will a delay in the country moving to Step 4 of the Government roadmap, meaning that the majority of the current restrictions will remain in place for the time being.

This means that the current limits on seeing friends and family will remain in place, so the rule of six or two households indoors is permitted, including for overnight stays. Restrictions on meeting outdoors will remain, with gatherings of over 30 people remaining illegal.

Businesses

Businesses that were permitted to operate in Step 3 can remain open, including indoor hospitality businesses such as pubs and restaurants; indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas; hotels and B&Bs; and adult indoor group sports and exercise classes. Businesses in hospitality, the tourism and leisure industry, close contact services, community centres and village halls must continue to have a system in place to request and record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff for the NHS Test and Trace system, to help break the chains of transmission of coronavirus.

Indoor hospitality must continue to have COVID-secure measures in place, and businesses can only cater for groups of six people or two households. Venues do not have to serve a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks; nor is there a curfew, but customers will have to order, eat and drink while seated.

Funerals and weddings

Funeral venues are allowed to decide how many mourners they can accommodate, adhering to social distancing rules, and up to 30 people are allowed to attend wakes. The number of people who can attend weddings in a COVID-Secure venue will be determined by how many people a venue can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place, including guests of all ages and anyone working at the event. Each attendee must also wear a face covering. Table service should be in place to serve guests and there are restrictions on dancing and singing.

Care homes

From 21 June all care home residents will be able to nominate an essential care giver. These essential care givers will be able to visit the care home resident, even if the resident is isolating.

In most cases, residents who go on a visit out of a care home will no longer need to isolate for 14 days when they return. Residents returning from some higher risk visits out of the care home, such as an overnight stay in hospital, will still be required to isolate. Decisions on risk will be made following a risk assessment by the care home for each visit out.

School residential visits

Also from 21 June, out-of-school settings can organise domestic residential visits for children of groups of up to 30 children. This replaces the current limit of six people or two households.

Book your two COVID-19 vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine is the fastest and safest way to protect yourself and others from coronavirus.

The vaccine rollout continues to accelerate quickly and from today (Tuesday 15 June), if you’re aged 23 and over (or turn 23 before 1 July 2021), you can book your COVID-19 vaccines online. Those over the age of 40 should also have the opportunity to bring forward their second dose of the vaccine.

More information and guidance

It is expected that England will move to Step 4 on 19 July, though the data will be reviewed after two weeks in case the risks have reduced. The government will continue to monitor the data and the move to Step 4 will be confirmed one week in advance.

More information and travel advice can be found online.

Advice and guidance for local businesses can be found on our website.

Full details of the Government’s roadmap and restrictions in place can be found here.

Local COVID-19 statistics

As expected, with the easing of restrictions, case numbers have increased recently. Please continue with those same basic behaviours that have been in place for over a year. Keep washing hands regularly or sanitising them, wear a face mask where required, socially distance as much as possible, and if you have COVID symptoms, please book a test and self-isolate immediately. It’s also important that you get vaccinated when it’s offered to you, and ensure you get your second dose to get even more protection. Having windows open when meeting people indoors is another really simple but effective measure.

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PLEASE WEAR A MASK IN VILLAGE SHOPS AND OBSERVE SOCIAL DISTANCING EVEN OUTSIDE. THIS VIRUS IS DEADLY AND TRANSMITS VERY READILY. DO NOT MIX INDOORS EXCEPT WITH YOUR HOUSEHOLD OR SUPPORT BUBBLE

**New online directory launched to support local businesses**

We have launched a new digital directory to help business owners and managers as they make decisions about the future of their business.

The Business Support Directory is a comprehensive online tool which signposts businesses affected by COVID-19 to local, regional or national support or alternative solutions to help them survive.

We created the tool, in conjunction with partners and stakeholders, to help many businesses who are facing new risks and challenges and may not be aware of what support is available to them or what the best solution may be for their situation. So, whether businesses may be considering growing, changing, downsizing or potentially closing, the tool can help identify the information and support available to help them.

The tool contains information tailored to the size of the business, ranging from self-employed and sole traders to large businesses with over 250 employees. So, if you are looking to grow your business’ online presence but need to upskill yourself or your team, or thinking about future talent but don’t know where to start, or having to make staff redundant and want to support them move on, this directory can help you do that.

**View the Online Business Support Directory**

**COVID-19 Roadmap**

Following the announcement from central government yesterday (Monday 22 February), the COVID-19 Roadmap has been released.

The roadmap explains how we plan to come out of this lockdown cautiously and safely.

It’s broken down into four key steps:
Step 1 between 8 March and 29 March
Step 2, no earlier than 12 April
Step 3, no earlier than 17 May
Step 4, no earlier than 21 June

All the dates in the roadmap are indicative and subject to change. Only when the government is sure that it is safe to move from one step to the next will the final decision be made.

The COVID-19 Roadmap gives us all a clear pathway out of this lockdown. However, we must not become complacent.

All of the sacrifices you have made during this time have resulted in case numbers dropping in Wiltshire, so a massive thank you for your efforts. We must all continue to play our part to stop the spread of coronavirus, as this is vital in making the transition out of this lockdown as smooth as possible.

So please continue to:
Wash your hands regularly
Wear a face covering where required to do so
Stay 2m apart from other people (outside of your household)

**View the full COVID-19 Roadmap guidance**

25 March 2021

If the vaccine programme maintains its good progress and we all continue to adhere to the rules, then we are really not too far away from seeing more people and enjoying special occasions together again.

**More information about the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown**

**Targeted COVID-19 rapid community testing update**

Our rollout of the government’s rapid COVID-19 community testing initiative locally to help drive down transmission rates continues.

The programme, in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Care, is specifically aimed at asymptomatic people at small businesses who cannot work from home, and private early years settings and childminders. It has also been confirmed that students who require a lateral flow test before going back to university can also use the sites.

You can now book a test at all four centres at Devizes Leisure Centre, Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury, Monkton Park in Chippenham, and County Hall in Trowbridge.

The centres cannot accept people dropping in, and everyone must book an appointment and not have any symptoms of COVID-19.

The self-administered test should take no more than 15 minutes and results should be known within half an hour.

Free testing continues to be available to everyone in Wiltshire who has COVID-19 symptoms – high temperature, continuous cough or loss of/change in taste or smell. You should visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 to book a test in that instance.

Anyone who receives a positive Lateral Flow Test result automatically activates legal obligations to self-isolate, and may also claim for a Test and Trace payment if they are eligible.

You can book your place on our website, where you will also find additional information, including FAQs.

**Dropping off and picking up your child from school**
We’re asking parents not to stop and chat with other parents when they drop their child at school and pick them up.

This will help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On the journey to and from school, please remember to observe social distancing at all times.

Thank you for your support.

**Information evening to find out more about overnight short break care**
Are you interested in offering overnight short break care for children with additional needs for small periods of time?
We operate an Overnight Short Breaks Scheme which offers a lifeline to families with children who may have a range of needs.
The team of carers are trained and supported to provide regular breaks for children with autism, learning disabilities or physical disabilities.

If you want to know more, come along to our online information evening on Thursday 25 March at 7pm.

**More details on the Overnight Short Breaks Scheme and the information evening**

**Families urged to keep following the rules and stay safe this half term**

**Eligible unpaid carers in Wiltshire can now apply for PPE, following government announcement**

Wiltshire’s eligible unpaid carers will be able to receive PPE following updated government guidance published last week.

We are working closely with charity Carer Support Wiltshire to ensure unpaid carers receive the PPE they need to keep those they care for, and themselves safe.

Carers can request PPE if they care for or go into the home of someone they don’t live with to provide care or support.

**Full details on PPE available for unpaid carers**

**Mental health forum members have produced a guide to local support services**

People with lived experience of mental ill health have produced their own comprehensive guide to mental health and wellbeing services on offer in Wiltshire.

Members of the Wiltshire Mental Health Open Forum worked together to compile the Wiltshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Services list, which details where adults, children and young people can get support, counselling, and advice on topics such as addiction, bereavement and homelessness.

Set up in July 2020, the forum is a joint collaboration between Healthwatch Wiltshire and mental health service provider Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP), and is supported by a range of organisations including Wiltshire Council, Richmond Fellowship, Carer Support Wiltshire and Citizens Advice.

**Download the Wiltshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Services list**

**We have received a Green Homes Grant to progress our Housing Energy Efficiency Programme**

We have been successful in our bid for a Green Homes Grant of £546,500, which will target work to be carried out to improve 100 of our least energy efficient homes as part of our Housing Energy Efficiency programme.

We received the funding through the Government’s Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme and it will be used to help deliver the Housing Energy Efficiency programme, which aims to bring all council houses in Wiltshire up to an EPC B energy rating over the next 10 years.

**Full details on our successful bid for a Green Homes Grant**

**If you cannot transport yourself or depend on friends or family**
ring Ramsbury LINK 520111

The Chancellor has announced new support for businesses in retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. New one-off grants will be available to closed businesses as follows:

£4,000 for businesses with a rateable value of £15,000 and under

£6,000 for businesses with a rateable vaue of between £15,000 and £51,000

£9,000 for businesses with a rateable value of over £51,000 details available soon

SCAMS A number of scam text messages are being received across the UK trying to entice people to give card details either to claim a non-existent government grant or to apply for a COVID -19 vaccine-THESE ARE SCAMS When you are invited for your vaccine you WILL NOT be asked for bank details or any payment. Nationally the vaccine programme is being rolled out led, in Wiltshire by Bath and North East Somerset and Wiltshire Commissioning Group supported by Wiltshire Council. residents will be written to directly with information on an appointment for the vaccine so please do not call the NHS in advance.

Be aware there are dog thieves in the area. A silver and green Subaru type vehicle is possibly involved with this. Men have been seen attempting to steal dogs from gardens

The Recreation Centre is still open for sensible socially distanced exercise.

IT IS NOT A DOG EXERCISE AREA(EVEN IF YOU PICK UP) PLEASE ACT RESPONSIBLY THE GRASS IS A RECREATION AREA

Hills Stores Charity Shop now open as usual 10-12.30 Tues Wed Thurs Sat morning 2-4.30 Tues Thurs afternoons

LINK can organise lifts for medical appointments, shopping, collect prescriptions etc. Ring 520111 for details

Ramsbury Brewery has 500ml bottles of alcohol hand sanitizer £15 ring the brewery 541407 and pay by card. Bottles can be collected from Sheila Glass or the brewery

No 48 bus service is operating as usual

The Post Office will deliver essentials to vulnerable and isolating residents in Ramsbury & Axford Please ring 520229 for details

Small supermarket shops can be arranged. Ring 07979327505/520409 or 07724063800/520279 or 07795199059

5aday Devizes will deliver veg boxes FOC plus an assortment of other food items www.5adaybox.co.uk 01380860968

The allotment site is closed to all but plot holders

Play areas are open

The Bell is open

The Crown & Anchor is closed

Ring Sheila Glass 07979327505/520409 if you need help with shopping, prescriptions etc.

Please take care to avoid passing infection-if you have any symptoms -fever, cough, headache loss of taste or smell, isolate yourself for 14 days. Elderly people and those with medical conditions-diabetes, COPD, asthma, heart disease, immunocompromise are more at risk from serious complications so take particular care around these groups. The virus can live for up to 72 hours on surfaces including money so wash hands regularly if you have been out or use hand sanitiser and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.

If you have vulnerable neighbours who you think may need help and you are well you could print off a note and use to make contact without risking infection.Deliveries of shopping etc should be done with no contact. If the person/s being helped are ill defer taking payment until the quarantine period (14 days) has passed and there are no longer symptoms. Telephone contact, especially for those who live alone, can help to alleviate loneliness and help pass the time.

If you have problems with shopping or obtaining supplies ring 07979327505/520409 or 520045 parishcouncil@ramsbury.org or candsglass@btinternet.com and we may be able to help.

The library is closed. Audio books can be downloaded via Wiltshire Council website as well as a variety of magazines and books to read online

Volunteers from the Parish Council have planted up tubs at the village entrances.

We are working to improve accessibility on the website if you encounter problems please contact webmaster@ramsbury.o

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