We still have no end in sight and just have to carry on with our new “normal,” but we have glorious weather and there is a soft greening on our trees and hedgerows.

Safe websites for information

Click on this link for coronavirus information from the NHS

Click on this link for coronavirus information from GOV.UK

Click on this link for coronavirus information from Rother District Council

Click on this link for coronavirus information from East Sussex County Council

Both the Rother District Council and East Sussex County Council websites have Community Support sections.

Doctors

If you need to see or contact your GP during this emergency, please check their website or phone first.  I’ve added links to the surgeries I know about in Battle and Heathfield.

Click on this link for the Martins Oak Surgery (Battle)

Click on this link for the Oldwood Surgery (Battle)

Click on this link for the Heathfield Surgery (Heathfield)

Dentists

Its seems that most dental surgeries are completely closed during this emergency.  There is some information on the NHS website (link below).

Click on this link for advice on dental issues from the NHS

Vets

Like our GPS, vets are only dealing with emergencies, although I understand they are still doing the final jabs for puppies and kittens.  Check their website and phone first.

The Best of Us

It goes without saying that our heartfelt thanks go to all NHS workers and every one of those essential workers who are keeping our lives as normal as possible.  I would also like to say a massive Thank You to those Dalligton residents who have volunteered to pick up essential supplies/prescriptions for those who must not leave their homes.  A resident contacted me about helping our super Postmen by leaving our gates unlatched, this is a great idea – but obviously not if you have small children or pets!

Scams

Be extra vigilant at this time – just put the phone down or delete the email.  There’s some good advice on the Age UK website, the link is below.

Click on this link for how to avoid scammers from Age UK

Shopping

1.  Sainsburys (all Sainsbury shops)
Monday to Saturday 0730-0800 priority for NHS workers (will need ID)
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 0800-0900 priority for the elderly, keyworkers and the 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 is priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.  They are also giving NHS workers priority at the checkouts.
4. Local shops (ring first)
Netherfield Stores and Post Office – 01424 838589
Rushlake Green Village Stores – 01435 830381
The Old Orchard Village Shop – 07969 778985
Zero Heathfield – 07391 490098
Eggs to Apples – 01580 860566
Venison and Lamb meat packs – 07780 707006

The Adventures of Alfie

I’m afraid Alfie is in disgrace.  We went to our field yesterday and as usual he was just trundling around.  He managed to put up a pheasant and I don’t know who was more frightened – the pheasant or Alfie as his natural prey is a small beetle.  I took my eyes off him for a moment, looked around and the Little Grotbag was on his back rolling in fox poo!  I’m not normally precious, but I cannot live with with the smell of fox poo in the house.  So it was straight home and in the shower for him.  He’s nice and clean now, but is beginning to look like a failed attempt at Build a Bear.  We haven’t had the great nail clipping project yet, but it will be very soon.

Last Christmas my son bought Alfie the biggest dog chew he could find.  Alfie couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw it.  He walked around it for a few minutes and you could almost hear his little doggie brain thinking – “is it really all for me?”  He managed to pick it up, tried to get it through the door to the kitchen and had to work out for about 10 minutes just how to do it.  That hurdle overcome, he then tried to get it up the stairs, all we could hear for most of Christmas morning was the crashing and banging of all the failed attempts.  It is now in three pieces and he still guards it vigorously against the BAD KITTENS!

It’s going to be a very different Easter for all of us, with Christmas, one of the turning points of the year.  I’m not religious, but understand the importance of this time of year to those of all faiths – it is the most important celebration of the Christian year, Passover for those of the Jewish faith and Ramadan starts in late April.  It is so sad that our churches, synagogues, mosques and temples are closed.
I can only wish you all a Happy Easter, staying safe and looking after one another.
Irene (Parish Clerk)

I’ve had a few queries about how you can contact your GP during this emergency and how you can arrange a necessary visit and/or renew prescriptions.
Links to the Martins Oak Surgery, the Oldwood Surgery and the Heathfield and Firs Surgery are below and these will give you full details.

Click on this link for the Martins Oak Surgery website

Click on this link for the Oldwood Surgery website

Click on this link for the Heathfield and Firs Surgery website

If you know anyone who does not subscribe to this website and probably uses one of the above surgeries – can you please let them know of the changed arrangements.
Irene – Parish Clerk

 

 

No real end in sight yet – all we can do is to stay safe and look after each other safely.
SAFE WEBSITES FOR INFORMATION
Be careful, lots of very dubious information out there, the following sites are safe
Click on this link for NHS coronavirus information

Click on this link for GOV.UK information on coronavirus

Click on this link for information from Rother District Council during this emergency

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES/INFORMATION
Dallington Parish Council cannot be responsible for any information held on this site, but it is generally thought to be a reliable source of financial information, particularly during this emergency.

Click on this link to go to Money Saving Expert

THE BEST OF US
Grateful and sincere thanks to everyone out there who are working endlessly to keep us safe and our lives as normal as they can possibly be – all who work in the NHS, the carers, all the keyworkers, all in the emergency services, the military, all the shop assistants, the food bank volunteers and all those in essential jobs.  You have our heartfelt thanks.

AND THE WORST
They are always out there and scammers will take the opportunity of this emergency to to try to defraud, upset and generally increase the levels of anxiety.  If you get any emails (I’ve had a couple) asking for money, threats, the old “click on this link” request or any email that you feel is not genuine – DELETE!  DELETE!  DELETE! – a safe website for advice is the Police’s Action Fraud site, the link is below

Click on the link below to go to the Police Action Fraud website

SHOPPING
1.  Sainsburys (all Sainsbury shops)
Monday to Saturday 0730-0800 priority for NHS workers (will need ID)
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 0800-0900 priority for the elderly, keyworkers and the 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 is priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.  They are also giving NHS workers priority at the checkouts.
4. Local shops (ring first)
Netherfield Stores and Post Office – 01424 838589
Rushlake Green Village Stores – 01435 830381
The Old Orchard Village Shop – 07969 778985
Zero Heathfield – 07391 490098
Eggs to Apples – 01580 860566
Venison and Lamb meat packs – 07780 707006

CHURCHES TOGETHER IN HEATHFIELD
They have gathered together a big group of volunteers from all the Heathfield churches and are happy to help you if you are self-isolating and can also put you in touch with other local volunteers.  Their numbers are – 01435 863786 and 01435 864646.

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!
A young astrophysicist, Dr. Daniel Readon, was trying to invent a device to stop people touching their faces.  He ended up in hospital with magnets stuck up his nose!  Every mother reading this probably rolled her eyes and thought I’ve got one like that – good brain, but no common sense – I know I have.  However, full marks Dr. Daniel for trying.  There’s a link below to the Guardian article.

Click on this link to see the Guardian article about Dr. Daniel Readon

THE ADVENTURES OF ALFIE

He’s very bored and missing his woodland walks as we’ve decided to just exercise him in the field behind our house.  I’ve just looked out of our window and there are no fire-breathing sheep in the adjacent fields – so he should be safe.  We are going to have to bite the bullet soon and clip his nails, not looking forward to it, but will have to be done.

Stay safe all of you, look after yourselves and each other.
Irene – Parish Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve just had email from Ann-Marie Cross – Jane has very sadly died, but not from coronavirus.  It was a very bad line when we spoke last night.
Irene – Parish Clerk

I have had some sad news from Ann-Marie Crosse – Jane Sherwin has died from coronavirus.
Many of you in Dallington, Brightling and Mountfield will remember her as a teacher and Vicar of All Saints, Mountfield.
I have no more details – but you can contact Ann-Marie on 01424 838504.
Irene – Parish Clerk

How are you all doing – stay safely in contact with each other.
Contact me or one of the other Dallington Councillors for a list of people who have very kindly offered to help out with a bit of shopping, collecting medication and even dog-walking.
Just a word to all our volunteers and the many others who are helping friends and neighbours – you must stay safe, leave shopping etc., at the door and keep at least 2 metres (about 6 feet) away from each other.
Many of you are signed up for email alerts to this website – can you make sure that anyone who is not, signs up or if they do not have an internet connection, is it possible to print out this post or let them have the information by phone.
We are distributing another information flyer, which you should be receiving shortly.
LATEST INFORMATION
These sites are safe for current information
Click here for latest information and advice from the NHS
Click here for the GOV.UK website on coronavirus
Click here for information and advice from Rother District Council

FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
Dallington Parish Council cannot be responsible for any information held on the link below, but it it generally thought that there is good and safe information on this site.
Click here for information and advice from Moneyexpert.com

BEWARE OF SCAMS
It’s sickening, but scammers will be trying to make the most of this emergency.  The latest one I’ve heard of is an email saying that Central Government/BBC are extending the time for the over 75s to pay for their television licence and asking that you update your direct debit information.
DO NOT CLICK ON ANYTHING – JUST DELETE ANY EMAIL/TEXT YOU GET THAT EITHER YOU DON’T EXPECT OR LOOKS SUSPICIOUS.

SHOPPING
I’ve had to make some changes to this section as our small local shops – that are doing a great job – have made some changes.  Some are unable to cope with all the demand and deliveries, so ring first before getting in the car.
The supermarkets are unchanged
1.  Sainsburys – Heathfield (applies to all Sainsburys shops)
Monday to Saturday 0730-8000 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 keyworks, the elderly and disabled.
3.  Waitrose – Heathfield
Monday to Saturday 0700-1000, first opening hour is priority for keyworkers, the elderly and disabled.  They are also giving NHS workers priority at the checkouts.
LOCAL SHOPS (ring first)
Netherfield Stores and Post Office – 01424 838589
Rushlake Green Village Store – 01435 830381
The Old Orchard Village Shop – 07969 778985
Zero, Heathfield – 07391 490098
Eggs to Apples – 01580 860566
Venison and Lamb meat packs – 07780 707006
If anyone in your household is self-isolating due to experiencing coronavirus systems – please advise the delivery driver, get them to leave the bags outside your door, don’t use an electronic signature device and wash your hands immediately after putting shopping away – many people are also washing/disinfecting the shopping itself.

THE ADVENTURES OF ALFIE
He’s been having his exercise, sometimes in our field behind our house, but he’s scared of sheep (don’t ask!) so is always a little worried out there.  He’s been to Darwell, which he loves (thinks it’s his private property) and also the Cuckoo Trail in Heathfield.  Everyone being very sensible, smiling and saying “Good Morning,” but keeping a very safe distance away from each other – except the dogs of course.

I went to Sainsburys in Heathfield last Wednesday for the elderly shop.  Got there about 0750 and all us elderly were queuing up outside – I saw quite a few friends there and we were all very sensible and stood 2m from each other.  There were a few people in the shop, the NHS workers, they deserve far more than a clap.  There was serious security outside, a very nice chap, but I wouldn’t have argued with him.  At 0800 they let us in, about 10 at a time.  The shelves weren’t too bad, lots of veg, bread and enough milk, but my expert eye saw that the booze shelves were very empty (this is worrying!).  As one shopper left, another was let in.  It was all very quiet and polite.  I’ll go again next week, unless I can get a slot on-line.

Keep yourselves safe and keep in safe contact with neighbours and friends – that’s the most important thing we can do.

Once again, if your neighbour/friend is not signed up to this website, or does not use the internet – please contact them and let them have this information.