Dear Widcombe Association Member
COVID 19 – UPDATE
A lot has changed in our world in the last few days. But one thing is clear; that our communities have never been more important. We have been showered with volunteers from across Widcombe and I know neighbours are working together to provide mutual support and care in these challenging times.
This email is intended to provide a quick update and also to reconfirm where you can go if you should need help.
Our main thrust has been to encourage, support and join up street-by-street level support communities. We now have over 40 street coordinators across Widcombe and nearly 100 volunteers in total. We have also linked with 3SG (the Third Sector Group) who BANES are using to establish their COVID-19 response line. The association has signed up as a partner with 3SG and are linked up, making sure we can help across Widcombe where appropriate.
If you need support but can’t access it through your neighbours we are operating a Widcombe safety net please call Hilary Furlonger, (treasurer@widcombeassociation.org.uk or 07794 922082) or Jeremy Boss (chairman@widcombeassociation.org.uk or 01225 484794) and we will seek to arrange practical help and support from a near neighbour. We have also set up a page on our website – http ://www . widcombeassociation . org . uk/community-matters/covid-19/.
As you will appreciate we have paused all our groups and activities. So sadly the Art Trail, Choir, Walking, Garden and Cycling events are postponed as is our AGM. We have also reluctantly put our Widcombe Magazine on hold as we don’t feel we can ask volunteers to deliver it at the moment. This will restart when it is safe to do so and in line with Government advice. Also locally, Widcombe Social Club is closed and Bath Comedy Festival postponed.
I would like to pay tribute to all our local businesses who have tried to provide support and services to help their community. Most of course have had to close whilst others continue to operate providing vital services. Shopping more locally seems to have never been more important and appreciated and we will need to support our local businesses as we come out of this period.
As the Council request: people should avoid lighting bonfires during a pandemic of respiratory diseases, for the sake of neighbours and reducing avoidable burden on the NHS. This is particularly relevant while garden waste collections are on hold.
Finally, we should think of those providing vital services, the NHS, Pharmacies, emergency services and food suppliers and many more. It was amazing to hear clapping and cheering across Widcombe Thursday evening to let them know how much we appreciate them.
Be good neighbours, take care and keep well
Jeremy Boss
Chair Widcombe Association
Links to local Bath-related information:
3SG Third Sector Group for BANES – 3sg.org.uk if you go to the Compassionate Community tab on the menu you can join as a Compassionate Community Connector. This is the route BANES volunteers are being asked to follow – they also provide an excellent newsletter. I have copied Tuesdays (the latest one) at the foot of this email.
Bath & North East Somerset Council – https://beta . bathnes . gov . uk/coronavirus
Wera Hothouse Bath MP – https://www . werahobhouse . co . uk/coronavirus
Royal United Hospital – https://www . ruh . nhs . uk . – Please Note – another one of my roles is as a Non Executive Director at the hospital (member of the board providing independent advice and assurance but with no direct management responsibilities). If you struggle with official routes you could contact me and I will try and make appropriate contacts if I can, whilst appreciating we are in extraordinary times with huge pressures the NHS is under.
Widcombe Association – http ://www . widcombeassociation . org . uk/community-matters/covid-19/ general update page
Bear Flat Association – http ://bearflat . org . uk/covid-19-creation-of-a-bear-flat-help-line/our near neighbour contact line in Bear Flat
Local Widcombe Businesses as at today….. (but please let me know of others)
Open: Coop open 7am – 8pm at the moment (469320), Bath Spa Florist (Widcombe Parade) for veg boxes (460121), RingoBells for veg boxes and fish and chip delivery Fridays (727599 or email enquiries@ringobellsbath.com), Ruposhi (takeaway 337294), Widcombe Pharmacy (447924), Widcombe Surgery (310883) (Phone only do not call in).
Recently closed: Deli (including deliveries), Prior Park Garden Centre, White Hart.