Town Christmas Lights
Due to the Covid -19 restrictions the Town Council is not able to have the usual Christmas Switch On Event this year so it was decided to invest the funds it would have normally spent on the event in new lights, as a way of brightening the Town and allowing the whole community to celebrate Christmas. The Town Council also decided to employ a Contractor to install, erect and remove the new Town Christmas Lights including all relevant safety checks and licences.
Unfortunately, an incident occurred on Wednesday 25th November, whereby some damage occurred to the front of one of the buildings in The Square when the contractors were installing the Christmas lights. The area was immediately made safe, fortunately no one was hurt, and the matter is now being dealt with by the contractors Insurers and the insurers acting for the owner of the building concerned.
The Town Council will ensure that Christmas lights will still be going up but on a smaller scale than was originally intended and will be slightly delayed so please bear with us.
TDC 1610
Torridge District Council
Councillors reconfirm backing for funding to enable 1610 to reopen Leisure facilities in Torridge: torridge pool
Torridge Councillors met for an extraordinary full council meeting on Monday to debate and reaffirm their commitment to a package of funding support for 1610, who operate leisure facilities across the district. Under the previous plan Northam pool and gym facilities were only days away from reopening prior to the most recent lockdown announced by the government at the start of November. This would have been the first-time facilities would have opened for many months due to issues in adapting facilities to Covid-19 operational guidelines, which had proven difficult to implement in the smaller facilities 1610 operate.
Councillors were reminded that an extra sum of £141k had already been agreed, which 1610 had indicated would enable them to reopen Northam Pool, albeit at a reduced capacity and with other restrictions. They also heard that the reopening of Holsworthy pool had been investigated further but would likely require structural alterations to reopen as the existing facility remains too small to operate safely under current restrictions. Works to renew part of the roof structure at Torrington pool continue as well as the specialist work to remove unexpected asbestos material discovered during the build, which had added £65,000 to the costs. As planned in the previous opening preparations the use of the Sports Halls by Schools at both the Holsworthy and Torrington centres has been preserved and will continue for now, although wider community use for sports like 5-aside football, netball and badminton is not currently permitted under the Government guidance. As a result, neither Holsworthy nor Torrington facilities are likely to reopen before the new year.
The funding so far has gone primarily towards the costs of recommissioning the Northam Pool facility, which includes extra Covid-19 measures such as screens, sanitiser stations and signage. It also includes contributions towards the costs 1610 incurred whilst all facilities have been closed since March 2020 and to support them for the period up until March 2021. The recent four-week closure under lockdown 2 has led to further cost pressures being reported by 1610, which the Council are awaiting further detail on. In the meantime, 1610 have advised that they will seek to reopen the gym and group exercises at Northam tomorrow – Wednesday 2nd Dec and the pool later in the week. It is probably advisable to check the 1610 website before travelling and bookings may be required.
Lead Member for Leisure – Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said:
“We all recognise the real issues the Covid-19 pandemic has caused in many different areas of our lives. We remain convinced as Councillors that leisure facilities are important for everyone, particularly the elderly and children and are essential to the health and well-being of our community. While we were optimistic that at least some of our facilities at Northam would reopen previously this was unfortunately delayed due to the most recent national lockdown. We now have a green light for 1610 them to reopen this week, which will be a huge relief and moment of celebration for many.”
Advice to All Parents holsworthy Community College
Posted on
Dear Parents/Carers
We have been made aware of a member of our school community who has tested positive for COVID 19. We know that you may find this concerning, but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. The small number of children who have been in close contact with the individual who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 14 days from the point of contact. The school remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well.
School transport has not been affected in this instance. All school buses will run as usual.
https://holsworthycollege.wordpress.com/2020/11/27/advice-to-all-parents-single-case-2/?fbclid=IwAR0RuBjMvsPYcZyzowQvvlHwmvJXuqE1DKkOVJ7bw-hot-HolDWTvjCqjV4
HOLSWORTHY MARKET to OPEN on Wednesday 9th December
We look forward to seeing our traders back. Covid Restrictions will be in place.
Tier 2: High alert – what does that mean?
The government has decided that Devon will be under Tier 2 local restrictions when lockdown ends, subject to parliamentary approval.
It means that from Wednesday 2 December:
You must not socialise with anyone indoors who is not in your household or part of your support bubble, at home or in a public space.
If you are outside, you can meet in groups of up to six people from different households.
Everyone who can work from home should do so.
You should reduce the number of journeys you make, avoiding busy times and routes on public transport, and car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble. Walk or cycle instead if possible.
Pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality
venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. Venues must stop taking orders at 10.00pm and must close by 11.00pm.
Some businesses such as non-essential retail, leisure and sports venues can reopen providing they are COVID-secure.
You must continue to follow Tier 2 restrictions if you travel to a Tier 1 area. You should avoid travel to a Tier 3 area other than where necessary, for example for work, education, medical treatment or to carry out caring responsibilities.
Torridge businesses urged to apply for newly released grant funding
Torridge businesses urged to apply for newly released Lockdown 2.0 grant funding
Click on the below link for further information
Coronavirus (COVID-19) local dashboard and data – Devon County Council
We must keep our wits about us
Steve Brown, the Director of Public Health Devon (Designate) made a fresh plea this week. He acknowledges some of the positive things happening right now, but asks that we all keep our wits about us as coronavirus case numbers continue to rise in Devon. He said:
“There’s lots to be optimistic about right now, which is great. But we mustn’t let it become a distraction from the task in hand – to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“We have Christmas approaching and talk of families being able to come together.
“We have rapid test pilots enabling people to see their loved ones in care homes and to hold hands for the first time in a very long time.
“We’ve got several vaccines coming fast down the track. And we’re approaching the final weeks of our current national lockdown restrictions, subject to what the government decides.
“We may be feeling like we’re in the final chapter of this pandemic.
“But I wouldn’t be doing my job as Director of Public Health if I were not to inject a strong measure of caution with a dose of cold facts.
“Case numbers in Devon are still rising, especially in the working age population. We’re seeing spread in social and communal settings within the workplace, in staff rooms, kitchens, corridors, car parks – the bits of our daily life where we’re more easily distracted and our attention slips.
“My plea to you is that we must not let our enthusiasm to return to normal actually set us further back.
“It will be some time yet before we see the impact of these last few weeks of national restrictions. Our rising cases have to stop. To do that, we must focus on the here and the now.
“We must keep our wits about us. Make every effort, in every situation. That’s how we beat this virus.”
Holsworthy Community College; Member of our school community who has tested positive for COVID 19
16 November 2020
Dear Parents/Carers
We have been made aware of a member of our school community who has tested positive for COVID 19.
https://holsworthycollege.wordpress.com/2020/11/16/advice-to-all-parents-single-case/
Devon leads £2 million bid to end holiday hunger
Devon County Council
Devon leads £2 million bid to end holiday hunger
A major operation is under way in Devon to combat holiday hunger for children this Christmas.
We are leading the operation to organise networks of providers across the county, using a £2 million government grant to support vulnerable children and families in the most effective way.
Over the next few weeks a range of community kitchens, holiday clubs, charities and local businesses will be enlisted to coordinate help and support for those who need it the most in every district in Devon.
They will ensure that every child entitled to Free School Meals will be able to get free food over the Christmas holiday, during the Easter half-term and the Easter holidays.
You can read the full story on our News Centre.
More information about financial and food support for families and individuals in Devon is available on our website.
Bude cases on the rise
Cases are on the rise in the local area
Only leave home if it is essential Follow the rules and reduce contact with others.