This week saw the distribution of leaflets to every house in the village containing information about the new Curridge volunteer network that has been growing over the last two weeks. The network has been created specifically to help this residents that need help whilst self isolating during the Covid-19 coronavirus  crisis.

We now have around 40 households, nearly 10% of the village, signed up to help others in need with a variety of tasks that might be required during short term (showing symptoms) or long term isolation (vulnerable groups). 

Also distributed with the information leaflets were Self Isolation signs that residents may attach to their front doors to signify to neighbours and visitors that they are isolating.

Urgent Groceries
The most likely request for help is home delivery of grocery items. We cannot replace a full home delivery grocery service but the volunteer network aims to be able to provide a quick response when specific urgent items are requested. The volunteers are in regular communication via instant messaging and through this we can let each other know when going on planned shopping trips to local supermarkets and other outlets.

If residents in self isolation have a request please use one of the following methods to contact us:

Email: help20@curridgevillage.co.uk
Phone: 07842 840644

We have compiled a list of local for suppliers that might be helpful to residents for both groceries and takeaway meals. The list will be updated regularly and can be found here.

Already we have been able to distribute food boxes to around 10 local households thanks to the kind generosity of The Bunk Inn.

Medical Prescriptions
We have also established a medical prescription collection service for Curridge residents from the Downland Practice. Our collection day will be THURSDAY every week, starting on 2nd April. If you have a prescription due then please contact the practice on 01635 248251 to give your consent for it to be collected and delivered by our volunteers. If you normally have to pay for prescriptions then payment will have to be completed by phone by the Wednesday before collection day. Our volunteers will deliver the prescriptions to your home address during daytime (8.30-4.30) and will need to see you to accept delivery.

Please do not contact the volunteer network directly regarding prescription collections unless you have a more urgent need than the next scheduled weekly collection run. In that case please make arrangements directly with the surgery for the prescription and then contact the volunteer network to request a dedicated collection on the day/time that the prescription is expected to be ready.

Other Services
We hope to adapt the volunteer network to be able to respond to any other reasonable requests that residents make during self isolation, whilst respecting the health and security of the volunteers and working within the evolving government guidelines.

Already we have a couple of volunteers that have indicated willing to help with dog walking in the village so please get in touch if this may be helpful.

Even if you don't have a specific help request yet, if you enter self isolation in the village then please feel free to register with the volunteer network using the following form forms.gle/ZPVPHy72HHYs22La9. That way we can get a volunteer to proactively check in with you via phone, email or messaging to ask if if there is anything required when we know that someone is already visiting the shops.

Last week saw the official launch of the first publicly accessible Automated Emergency Defibrillator (AED) in the village of Curridge, West Berks.
 
Following a two year project by Curridge Residents’ Association, the device was funded by proceeds of the village’s annual summer social event, and made possible by the generous donations of residents and local company sponsors.
 
The project was supported by Chieveley Parish Council, who will take on long term responsibility for the device, and the Upham Pub Company who agreed to site the unit at The Bunk Inn, RG18 9DS.
 
The defibrillator is registered with the South Central Ambulance Service, meaning that in an emergency anyone can call 999 to request the access code to the cabinet where the AED is stored, using the location code AHA122. For more information about accessing public AEDs and instructional videos for their use please see: 
https://www.scas.nhs.uk/news/campaigns/savealife/
 
Thatcham Heartstart will be giving a talk on Life Saving and Defibrillators at the next Curridge Residents’ Association meeting on Tuesday 17th March, 8pm at the WI Hall. The event is free to attend, and everyone is welcome.
 
Curridge Residents’ Association is grateful for support in this project from Rob Crispin, Mike Belcher and Tracy Snook (Chieveley Parish Council), Cleone Hilborne (Upham Pub Company), Chris Young & Miglė Račiukaitytė (Management Team at The Bunk Inn), and Nick Young at Thatcham Heartstart.
 
Top: Chris Cholmeley (Chairman, Curridge Residents’ Association) completes the formal handover of the village’s first AED to Mike Belcher (Chairman, Chieveley Parish Council)

Below L-R: Chris Young (The Bunk Inn), Chris Cholmeley (Curridge Residents’ Association) & Mike Belcher (Chieveley Parish Council).

Please see the attached for upcoming dates of road closures in the area

Application Forms, Notice and Small Grants Award Criteria and Conditions available for community bodies and groups in the Parish. Chieveley Parish Council is committed to supporting and strengthening the many community groups and organisations that help to make a positive difference to the residents in the Parish. 
Deadline for applications:  31 October 2019
 
Apply with the attached forms or at the link below:- 
www.mychieveley.co.uk/chieveleyparishcouncil

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Hermitage Church (which includes Curridge as part of the parish) is fundraising for some extensive work on the church yard.
 
Details are available on the church website at the following link:- https://www.hermitage-church.org.uk/latest-news

Dear Parish Residents,

Chieveley Parish Council is currently in the process of reviewing the community Emergency Plan.

The Parish Emergency Plan works in conjunction with West Berkshire Council’s to enable the Parish to have a structured response should ‘a significant major’ incident affect our community while we await the assistance of the Emergency Services and other responders.   We are hopeful that this document will never have to be implemented. However, we have to provide an Emergency Plan and issue it to key stakeholders and community groups in the Parish to keep in a safe, accessible place should a major incident cut off electronic communication, power supplies, trunk roads and we have to manage ourselves until the appropriate services can.

It would be great to hear from you if you have professional skills that could be useful in an emergency. E.g. a qualified medical person, first aider/carers, builder, plumber, farmer, electrician, engineer, HGV driver, plant operator, administrator, mechanic or caterer to name a few.

Could you provide or permit access at the time of an emergency any of the following?

Tractor, trailer, 4 x 4 vehicle, JCB, Lorry, chainsaw, safety equipment, lifting gear, cooking equipment, sandbags, pillows, blankets, portable heaters, lanterns, generator, fuel, wood, radio transmitter, utensils or anything else you feel useful for an emergency situation.

Do you feel you personally would need specific assistance during a significant major incident?  Please contact us and let us know what your needs will be so we can ensure all our community members as looked out for and supported. 

Please fill in the Emergency Plan Form 2019 and return it to the Parish Clerk by email or post as guided on the form.   We thank you for your support and look forward to hearing from you.  As said before it is hoped it will never be needed but in true scouting words, ‘be prepared’!
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Parish Clerk
Email:                   chieveley.pc@btinternet.com
Phone:                 01635 247507

Please see below for some upcoming roadworks on the A34 that will see it closed overnight