Author: Irene - Parish Clerk

Now more than ever we must look after each other and at the same time make sure we are keeping ourselves and our families safe.
HELP AND CONTACT IS AVAILABLE
I have a list of Dallington people who are willing and able to do a bit of shopping, collect medication, etc.  Please do not hesitate to contact me – Irene (Parish Clerk) 01424 838414/email – [email protected] if you need anything.
Phone your neighbours and friends, chat over the garden fence (keeping a safe distance away from each other, (2m is the recommended safe distance).
If you’ve never tried it before, use the link below to see how you can “video talk” to your family and friends – it’s a BBC website and safe.
Click on this link to see how you can video talk to your family and friends
There will be a fair number of Dallington people who do not look at this website and do not have an internet connection.  If you know of any, can you please make sure they get this information.
Dallington Parish Council are arranging a leaflet drop for every household.

LATEST INFORMATION
The sites below are safe for current information.
Click on this link for latest NHS coronavirus information
Click on this link for latest information on coronavirus from Central Government
Click on this link for latest information on coronavirus on BBC News

BEWARE OF SCAMS
1.  Do not open your door to anyone saying they are from the “health services” and have come to test you for coronavirus.
2.  Immediately delete any email you have concerns about.  Your bank, HMRC etc., will not be contacting you about coronavirus.
3.  Keep all your devices software updated and use decent virus software.
Sometimes I despair how evil some people can be during such a crisis, but then I look at all the offers of help and how communities are looking after each other and feel a lot better.

SHOPPING
We can go out to get essential supplies and medication.  I’ve been doing (with some help from Jim Gray – Dallington Councillor) some investigation into local shops/opening hours/priorities for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.
1.  Sainsburys – Heathfield (applies to all Sainsburys shops)
Monday to Saturday 0730-800 priority for NHS workers (will need ID).
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays – 0800-0900 priority for the elderly, keyworkers and disabled.
2.  Co-op – Heathfield and Battle
Monday to Friday 0800-0900 priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.
3.  Waitrose – Heathfield
Monday to Saturday 0700-1000 first opening hour priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.  They are also giving NHS workers priority at check-outs.
4.  Netherfield Stores and Post Office – will deliver and are always very helpful.
5.  Rushlake Green Village Store – 01435 830381, email – [email protected]
They will deliver, minimum spend £25.00, no delivery charge, payment by cash on delivery.  They will also bring items outside the shop for you to collect.
6.  The Old Orchard Village Shop – 07969 778985, will deliver, no minimum spend, no delivery charge.  Will also bring items out to the car park for you to collect.
7.  Zero, Heathfield (unpackaged/bulk/refillable food products and household products).  See their Facebook page for more details.  Phone 07391 490098.  You can collect at the shop.
Click on this link to go to the Zero Shop home page
8.  Eggs to Apples – phone 01580 860566 –
click here to go to the Eggs and Apples home page.
I’ve been trying to find sensible information from Jempsons in Battle – I know they are doing priority orders as the other supermarkets, but cannot find any definite information at the moment.
If anyone in your household is self-isolating due to experiencing coronavirus systems – please advise the delivery driver as they will need to take extra precautions.  You are also advised to limit contact with delivery drivers, get them to leave bags outside your door, don’t use an electronic signature device and wash your hands immediately after putting shopping away.
Dallington Parish Council advise that you contact any of the organisations above before actually going there and find out from them what their current policy is – it is possible that this could change rapidly.

THE ADVENTURES OF ALFIE
He’s got a big grin on his face at the moment – he was due for grooming today, but very sensibly his groomer has shut up shop for the duration.  He’s going to look like a miniature Yeti in a few weeks!  Freddie and I will have to wrangle him into the shower or get in with him

HOW ARE YOU ALL FEELING?
It’s a very strange and anxious time for us all.  Things are so quiet, I look out of my windows and there are no lights on in the Swan, we’ve lived opposite the Swan for over thirty years and it’s so strange to see it darkened.  Things are so quiet at night – very nice in a way – but different.  Wonderful night sky and no planes to be seen.  A great website for aircraft nerds is –
Click here for the flightradar23 website
It seems much quieter than normal.
I’ve been an insomniac all my life, just think Miss Haversham in a red, fluffy dressing gown!  I’ve been wandering around the house at 3am (this is quite usual for me), making myself cups of tea, playing with my iPad (thinking seriously about playing Skyrim again).  So what am I doing – knitting socks (I’m an expert), reading (a compulsive one), so thankful for my Kindle and I’ve just re-read all the Polity series by Neal Asher – any other Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans out there?  Maybe I’ll get my embroidery out again (stealth boast again, I’m an expert).
Let me know what you are all doing, hobbies, reading – this could be a great conversation during this emergency.  I can publish them and redact all your contact details.

Look after yourselves and stay safe.
Irene (Parish Clerk)