Local Corona Virus Information
The latest Mendip District Council Commumity Briefing can be found
here. It contains relevant Coronavirus information.
UK Government statistics for our local area
There is now useful
local and up-to-date corona virus statistics information for Mendip published by the UK Government on the following link. Please click on the link to view
the local corona virus information. It's updated daily as soon as data is collated for the previous day (usually around 4.00 pm). Also
here is a link to Somerset's
COVID-19 dashboard which gives a lot of information about COVID-19 in Somerset.
A message from Hugo Brooke - Parish Council Chairman
The corona virus has arrived in Witham Friary, so it is now more important than ever that we strictly observe the Government’s guidelines.
We are a close-knit community and good at looking after one another, but we must do that without compromising our mutual safety.
We must refrain from entering other people's houses unnecessarily, which is something multi-generational families in the village will
find irksome, but that’s what we have to do while the lockdown lasts.
Judging by the daily exodus it seems that the majority of breadwinners in the village are still employed. Many of them are front line workers whom we greatly admire for their selfless endeavours.
Sadly the hand sanitiser dispensers that were put out in the play patch, firmly attached to the equipment, have been stolen. This theft has been reported to the police. The amount of picnic wrappings left on the ground at the same time, suggest the culprit does not live in Witham Friary. However we do not propose to spend more Parish money replacing the dispensers, so please always take your own with you when visiting the play patch. Our aim is to make the play patch as safe as possible, thereby helping to prevent any more cases of Covid-19 in the village but I would emphasise the importance of sticking to the social distancing rules as far as possible. That is a difficult concept for children to cope with, so could parents be sure to accompany them.
The good news is that here in the South West we seem to be ahead of the game when it comes to the vaccination programme. We are approaching
the end of the race - let’s not fall at the last fence. Obey the rules.
Parish Council Meetings
Parish Council meetings will now be held as 'virtual' meetings until further notice. Please contact the Parish Clerk if you would like an invitation to attend a meeting. The Parish Clerk's contact details are on the Parish Council page under 'contact details'.
Re-opening of the Playpatch
Following guidance issued by the government, the Parish Council re-opened the Village Playpatch for residents to use
on Saturday 4
th July 2020.
Although the risk of catching coronavirus is lower when outdoors, the virus can remain active on surfaces. So to protect the health of everyone when using the playpatch, the following instructions are to be followed:
- Children must be accompanied by an adult, who should ensure that the two metre social distancing rule is maintained.
One child only per equipment.
- If you or your child has any symptom related to coronavirus, such as a persistent cough or high temperature, do not go to the playpatch. Follow the instructions at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
- Apply hand sanitizer before and after using the play equipment and wash your hands when you return home.
- If the area becomes too busy and spacing becomes a problem, please leave and return at a quieter time.
- Please limit your time in the playpatch to 30 minutes so that others can have a go.
- Do not take food or drink into the playpatch.
Enjoy and stay safe.
Somerset Waste Partnership
For information regarding collections and recycling sites please follow
this link to Somerset Waste Partnership's recycling sites information.
Important information for our parishioners
Corona virus - Covid-19
Witham Parish Council notice - This is a potential problem which may affect you and others you know in the
local community - please follow the
government guidance (document opens in a new page).
This link should be the latest guidance but we can't guarantee
that as it depends on the government updating their web page, so please search the Internet if you believe
it may not be.
Somerset County Council's help page regarding COVID-19 (document opens in a new page).
Following recent government announcements, please can I emphasise that Witham Friary has a growing group of people who are happy to help if you need support - for shopping, dog walking or a chat (phone or at least 2 metres between the chatters).
All you need to do is to contact Maddy Ferrari who can arrange this for you. Her contact numbers are 07809 254989 or 01749 850790 and her email address is maddyferrari@btinternet.com.
We are already aware of people talking to neighbours and offering help (which is what we would expect in such a great village) however
please be aware that there are already scammers in other parts of the country offering to shop for people, so be wary of accepting help from people you don't know. Perhaps ask them their name, where in Witham Friary they live, to describe their home, provide their postcode or please feel free to check their name with Maddy.
Witham Water
The Parish Council is actively engaged with Bristol Water regarding alternative arrangements for the supply
of water to the village. The Duke of Somerset's Estate are as keen as we are to achieve a seamless transition
to different management of our supply and are aware that may take some time. We are awaiting a written report
from Bristol Water and will advise and discuss with all interested parties when we have identified viable options.