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Author: ParishClerk

10 top tips to stay well this winter

With Covid still very much in circulation, it is as important as ever to look after your health this winter.

Somerset County Council’s Public Health team is urging everyone to think ahead and consider others, such as neighbours and close relatives, and put things in place now to protect their health.

Cold weather brings with it a number of health risks, in particular it can increase blood pressure and make fighting infection more difficult, especially among older adults and other vulnerable groups.

Importantly, we know that most winter-related illnesses in England occur at temperatures that can appear to be quite mild and well before we might see snow or ice – at between 4°C–8°C.

It can make a huge difference if you check whether relations, neighbours or others you care for are able to keep their homes warm early in the cold weather season and keep checking even when temperatures remain mild.

Trudi Grant, Somerset Director of Public Health, said: “Bad weather in the winter months can aggravate existing health problems, make you more vulnerable to illness, make it easier to have accidents like slips and falls and more difficult to get out and about to collect medicines or shop for food, especially for the elderly or those with underlining conditions.

“It is important to stay healthy, especially this year, to give us the best chance against covid and other winter viruses such as the flu. We have prepared some tips that can help better prepare people in our community for the change in season and to stay well.”

Top tips:

  1. Make sure you get your covid vaccine including the booster – it is the best defence against the virus and will help prevent you from becoming seriously ill with it.
  2. If you are entitled to the free flu vaccination, then book it as soon as possible – it can be booked quickly and easily by contacting your GP or local pharmacy.
  3. Keep your home ventilated to let the virus out, especially when you have guests and continue to follow  the other guidance to protect yourself from covid – wash your hands regularly, wear a face mask in public places and socially distance.
  4. It is important to keep warm in winter, so heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F), if you can, you might prefer your living room to be slightly warmer.
  5. Call NHS 111 if you need medical help but it’s not life threatening, or you are not sure where to go for help
  6. Eat a wide range of vegetables, fruit (aim for between 5 and 7 portions) protein and 2 portions of fish (1 oily)
  7. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated – the government recommends drinking 6 to 8 glasses every day.
  8. Keep active – regular exercise is important for your health and wellbeing – you don’t have to run a marathon, short walks can help you keep well
  9. Is your medicine cabinet ready for winter? Your pharmacist can advise you on which medicines you should have in your cabinet to help you and your family through winter.
  10. To help combat loneliness try to get outdoors or involve yourself with some social activities. Look to see what events are on at your local community centre, visit the theatre, join a group of like-minded individuals, or take up a new hobby. Even walking to the shops or walking around a park will bring you into contact with people and just saying ‘hello’ and getting a kind word back in return will boost your confidence. If it is icy or has been snowing, make sure you have suitable footwear and someone to assist you if required.
 
 

Tree Trimming – Burton/Shurton 22-26th November 2021

Contractors will be trimming trees on the route from the Stringston Road through Burton and Shurton to the C182. This will enable double decker buses to use the route in an emergency, under the Operation Harold scheme.

The works will be guarded by Temporary Traffic Lights and only be undertaken between 0900 – 1500 to avoid the School run.

Any queries please ring 07887 246 187

‘Tis the season to be gritting…

 As days become shorter and nights chillier, Somerset County Council’s fleet of 23 gritters is ready to be mobilised as soon as the temperature drops below zero in coming months.

Salt barns across Somerset are fully stocked and the team is on standby to treat 900 miles of road when the mercury plummets.

Last year our fleet of nearly two dozen gritters went out on 66 occasions when freezing temperatures were forecast, covering 70,200 miles help prevent ice forming with 1842 route actions in total – a significant increase from previous years.

This year the fleet is being bolstered with 20 new snow blowers, four new snow ploughs and there are three extra weather stations to signal cold weather warnings.

“Our dedicated teams are ready to spring into action when needed after working hard throughout the year to make sure our salt is stocked and our equipment is checked,” said Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways.

“Be assured they’re checking the forecasts every day to ensure gritters go out whenever road surface temperatures drop, and frost or snow is anticipated.”

 What roads do we treat?

We treat over a fifth of Somerset’s roads, marked in red on the map here.

Our main priority is to keep the busiest routes clear whenever ice or snow is expected. The priority is roads that link major towns, villages and communities on high ground and the important routes across the County for long distance travel.

 When do the gritters come out?

We carry out gritting when road surface temperatures are predicted to drop below 1°C and ice or snow is expected. Precautionary gritting normally takes place before the formation of ice – so that generally means our teams are out in the evening or early morning.

In the event of snow, we have established plans in place, working alongside the emergency services and partners to clear the network as quickly as possible. We can equip our gritters with snowploughs and have arrangements with farmers and snowplough operators who are employed to clear snow on our behalf. We prioritise our primary network and move on to clear our secondary and minor networks as resources allow.

Why don’t we salt every road in Somerset?

We can’t treat every road, as there aren’t enough gritters, drivers and depot staff to make this cost-efficient. However, we are carrying on our work with parish councils to fill roadside grit bins on request and are continuing to run a community-led snow warden scheme.

 Getting about

Rain can wash salt away and in very low temperatures gritting may not be enough to prevent freezing – so drivers are always advised to take extra caution in winter.

Only the busiest roads are gritted, and most are not, so ensure you plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly if frost has followed rain.

Remember to:

For more information about Somerset County Council’s winter service programme, including a searchable map showing all the roads treated, please visit www.travelsomerset.co.uk/gritting and follow @TravelSomerset on Twitter and Facebook.

The Road Safety team also have plenty of advice for road users in the winter months, so make sure to follow @SCC_RoadSafety and visit their website www.somersetroadsafety.org for more.

Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) Declared from 3-11-21

Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service have advised us that as of 5pm on the 3 November 2021 an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was declared across Great Britain. This means that all bird keepers in Great Britain (whether they have pet birds, commercial flocks or just a few birds in a backyard are required by law to take a range of bio-security precautions:

  • Schedule 1 – Minimum biosecurity measures applying to all keepers
  • Keep domestic ducks and geese separate from other poultry.
  • Ensure the areas where birds are kept are unattractive to wild birds, for example by netting ponds, and by removing wild bird food sources.
  • Feed and water their birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds.
  • Minimise movement into and out of bird enclosures.
  • Cleanse and disinfect footwear and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy.
  • Reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas and fencing off wet or boggy areas.
  • Keep free ranging birds within fenced areas, and ponds, watercourses and permanent standing water must be fenced off (except in specific circumstances, e.g., zoo birds).
  • Schedule 2 –Enhanced biosecurity measures for premises with over 500 poultry or other captive birds

Keepers with more than 500 birds will need to restrict access for non-essential people on their sites, workers will need to change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and site vehicles will need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.

Full details of what is required can be found on the government website: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1030990/aipz-declaration.pdf

To assist all bird keepers in complying with the new rules, the biosecurity guidance and self-assessment checklists   have been updated and all the latest information can be found at

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#biosecurity

Remember that if you have poultry it is your responsibility to keep updated on any outbreaks and an easy way to do this is to sign up for text notifications – register with the APHA alerts service.

Love chatting and meeting new people….?

Community Employment Hubs

Volunteers needed as hubs reopen

The Community Employment Hubs are about to re-open, and the SWT Employment Support team need your help.

If you have a couple of hours a week to spare to help people in your local community access work and training whilst having a cup of tea, then they want to hear from you. All training will be given, you just have to love chatting and meeting new people.

The hubs will be opening in Taunton, Watchet, Minehead, Williton, Dulverton, Wellington and Stogursey. The employment support team, work with all ages from 16 until retirement and help people get into work, change careers, set up a new business or go for a promotion. The community employment hubs support many different people and are a brilliant place to meet and chat.

If you would like more information or want to apply please contact Georgie or Iolanda either by ringing 01823 219578 or emailing employmentsupport@somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk.

How the England Coast Path can benefit your tourism business

If you run a tourism and hospitality business on the England Coast Path or South West Coast Path in Somerset and Exmoor we’re running SIX FREE WORKSHOPS exploring how to use the Coast Path to your advantage to attract visitors, promote your business and make the most out of your location on one of England’s National Trails.

FREE Digital Online Training funded by the Hinkley Tourism Action Partnership

Join Get Outside in Somerset for the Active Autumn Challenge

 

The nights are drawing in and temperatures are cooling off, but Somerset’s great outdoors is still open and getting our daily dose of fresh air during autumn is more important than ever.

To help encourage people to stay active and keep moving in October, the Get Outside in Somerset project is launching the Active Autumn Challenge. The challenge encourages participants to mix up their daily local exercise with a range of different ideas to help them have fun and stay healthy.

Time spent moving outside can help boost your mood, sharpen your focus, reduce stress, and improve sleep.

Anyone who fancies having a go can download the Active Autumn Challenge calendar here: Full Pack – Active Autumn (getoutsideinsomerset.co.uk). Ideas include something for all ages and levels of fitness, from paddleboarding to blackberry picking, to having a ‘leaf confetti’ photoshoot.

People are being encouraged to share their Active Autumn Challenge photos and videos on social media using #GetOutsideActiveAutumn.

The Get Outside in Somerset project is a joint initiative from Somerset Activity and Sport Partnership (SASP), The Community Council for Somerset (CCS), Spark Somerset, and Somerset Wildlife Trust, funded by Somerset County Council Public Health.

Jane Knowles, SASP Chief Executive Officer said: “It’s tempting to let the cooler days allure you into hibernation. But there are lots of activities best done in Autumn, from stargazing to pumpkin picking, and crafting to wildlife spotting.

“That’s why we have created the Active Autumn Challenge, there is a different activity to enjoy every day, or mix things up if the activity doesn’t suit you on that day.”

Cllr Clare Paul, Somerset County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “The Active Autumn Challenge is a good way to get inspired into keeping fit and includes activity ideas that work for families, groups or individuals. Being outdoors and exercising is so important for our mental and physical wellbeing, and this is a great initiative to promote those benefits.”

Visit the website www.GetOutsideInSomerset.co.uk to meet the Get Outside local ambassadors for tips, inspiration and guidance on how and where to get active outdoors. The website includes regularly updated information about activities in Somerset, and you can narrow down your search by location or the type of activity you are interested in. From yoga in the park, fishing and geocaching to cycling, climbing and forest bathing, there is something for everyone.

If you are going to Bridgwater Fair….

Every year Sedgemoor District Council hosts a historic outdoor travelling funfair and market near the centre of Bridgwater, Somerset. The funfair on St Matthews Field, TA6 7HD is organised by the Showman’s Guild with Sedgemoor District Council organising the market elements of the event. Bridgwater Fair attracts crowds from far a field and is recognised as the largest fair in the South West with roughly 40,000 visitors each year.

This annual event, which dates back to the Charter of King John, is now almost 800 years old, the last 600 years of which have been spent on St Matthews Field.  The Charter decreed that the four day fair was to start annually on the last Wednesday in September.

  • 2021’s Bridgwater Fair will start on Wednesday 29th September and ends on Saturday 2nd October.

Opening times:

Opening and closing times for the fun fair are usually:

  • 11:00am to 11:00pm Wednesday;
  • 1:00pm to 11:00pm on Thursday;
  • 1:00pm to 11:30pm on Friday and
  • 11:00am to 11:00pm on Saturday.

The West Street market usually opens:

  • 10:00am to 10:00pm Wednesday;
  • 10:00am to 10:00pm on Thursday;
  • 10:00am to 10:00pm on Friday and
  • 10:00am to 10:00pm on Saturday.

Following tradition, the Fair will be officially opened on ‘Fair Wednesday’ at 11:30am by Sedgemoor District Council’s Chairman and the Mayor of Bridgwater.

Road closures and prohibition of on-street parking:

Detailed road closure information is displayed in the notice section of the Bridgwater Mercury at least twice in the run-up to the event, usually late August and mid-September.

Road closures come into place at 9:00am Tuesday 28th September 2021 and are lifted at 10:00am on Sunday 3rd October 2021. West Street, Milton Place, St Matthews Green, Westover Green and St Matthews Field are affected by road closures. Diversion routes will be in place.

Prohibition of parking (and traffic coning) will be in place along many surrounding streets including Northfield, Durleigh Road (to the junction of Woodbury Road), Park Road and Albert Street from 8:00pm on Monday 27th September 2021 until 10:00am on Sunday 3rd October 2021.

Westfield Close and Halswell Close will be residents permit only.  If residents park without a permit then they are  liable to a parking fine.

Car parking:

As in previous years limited parking will be available Thursday to Saturday of fair week, with the Rotary Club of Bridgwater which is located on the Fairfield and costs of £5.00 per vehicle.

 

Additional public parking is usually available at the YMCA in Friarn Avenue and at Bridgwater Cricket Club on Durleigh Road.

Please note there are additional car parks within the town centre but these are not operated by Sedgemoor District Council.

West Street and Fairfield Markets:

The markets we know today, with their stalls set-up through West Street, as well as the one-day horse and goods market held at the top of St Matthews Field, are very different to the original fairs of 800 years ago. The West Street market runs from Wednesday morning to Saturday evening. The Fairfield market runs all day on ‘Fair Wednesday’ (the last Wednesday in September).

Traders from across the UK attend the West Street and Fairfield markets with products ranging from clothing and shoes, rugs and cushions, bulbs and plants, china and pottery, as well as culinary delights such as the famed welsh cakes, brandy snaps, preserves and jams and much more.

Please see a map highlighting the locations of the West Street and Fairfield Markets and the parking days for the Fairfield Market.

Toilets:

Temporary cabin toilets, provided by Sedgemoor District Council, are available behind the One Stop shop next to West Bow House, behind Westfield House on West Street and behind the Horse and Jockey Public House on Fairfield. Temporary cabin toilets, including disabled accessible toilets, are also provided behind the Horse and Jockey Public House on Fairfield.

First Aid:

First Aid during the event is provided by St Johns Ambulance. This service is situated in Westfield Church car park, West Street, from Wednesday to Saturday of fair week. First Aid provision is funded by Sedgemoor District Council.

Alcohol at the Fair:

Visitors to the Fair should be aware that West Street, St Matthews Field and most of the surrounding area are covered by the Council’s Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).  This is an Order designed to tackle nuisance arising from people acting antisocially through drinking excessively in public places. The Order gives the Police and PCSO’s the power to confiscate alcohol within the PSPO area. These powers will be vigorously enforced and anybody bringing alcohol into West Street or St Matthews Field especially can expect to be challenged and may be required to surrender their alcohol. Only alcohol in plastic cups purchased from the hatch at the Horse and Jockey and consumed within the vicinity will be permitted.

 

 

 

 

Vaccination Buddies are still here to help people to make informed decisions about their COVID-19 vaccination

Vaccination Buddies are still here to help people to make informed decisions about their COVID-19 vaccination; they can even help Portuguese and Polish speakers!

In Somerset, the majority of adults have now had both their Covid-19 jabs, but there are some people who don’t feel comfortable with the vaccination. Have you encountered people who have questions and concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine that you haven’t had the time or knowledge to answer? Or maybe you have some questions yourself? We can help!

Our team of Vaccination Buddy volunteers can offer 1-2-1 advice over the phone to anybody in Somerset who is worried about having the vaccine, or maybe their second jab.

Vaccination Buddies come from all walks of life and can speak a range of languages including Dutch, Portuguese, German, Polish, Italian and French. They have undergone full training from Public Health at Somerset County Council. They cannot however, offer medical advice.

You can request a phone call with a Vaccination Buddy VIA THIS FORM. (Referral forms also available in Polish and Portuguese. )We will then get in touch to arrange a suitable time.