Monthly Archives: May 2020

Avon Dassett Playground still closed

A reminder the the playground is still CLOSED. Although some government restrictions have been lifted, playgrounds are still closed because the virus can remain on hard surfaces for up to 72 hours.

There are signs up explaining this and the area has been taped off, however, some people are still using the play area.

Please follow government guidelines and stay safe.

COVID-19 Updates from the Department of Work and Pensions

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme

The new Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will launch online on Tuesday 26 May.

The Scheme will enable small and medium sized employers with fewer than 250 employees to apply to HMRC to recover the costs of paying coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay. Tax agents will also be able to make claims on behalf of their employers.

HMRC has published online guidance which includes information about who can use the scheme and the records employers must keep.

To find out more please visit GOV.UK.

For an overview of the scheme, you can also register to attend a live webinar.

 

Focus on agriculture

DWP has been working in partnership with the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to help bring together unemployed or furloughed workers with employers who have vacancies to fill in the agricultural sector. We’ve set up a dedicated page on our new Jobhelp site to help people understand what to expect, how to apply and why they should consider working in this critical sector.

Our new page supports DEFRA’s Pick for Britain campaign which launched on 19 May, with endorsement from the HRH Prince of Wales, to help employers fill these crucial vacancies.

 

New Coronavirus Community Support Fund now open

The Coronavirus Community Support Fund aims to support the tens of thousands of charities and organisations at the heart of local communities that are making a difference during the COVID-19 outbreak, including delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice, including welfare advice and support. The funding is to help organisations ensure they can meet increased demand as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as continuing their day to day activities supporting vulnerable people in need.

More information can be found on the National Lottery Community Fund website.

Details of other available funding opportunities are available on GOV.UK.

 

Grants and local funding – including free computers!

Community Computers Scheme

Warwickshire County Council has 150 recycled laptops to give away for free to community groups across Warwickshire.

Please apply by Friday 12 June 2020.

For any questions relating to the application please email connectingcommunities@warwickshire.gov.uk.

Business grants, loans and finance

Funding opportunities such as European Funding, National Lottery and Green Funds. Business grants, loans and finance – more information

Grant advice and searches

For funding advice and to conduct a funding search please visit:

Town and Parish Council grant schemes

National Lottery Funding

This site allows you to search for information on current funding programmes across the UK.

Coalfields Regeneration Trust

The Trust works in two main areas. They are a grant-maker and they are actively involved in supporting projects on the ground in coalfield communities.

Avon Dassett Open Gardens for NGS on 5th July- Cancelled

Avon Dassett Open Gardens’ in support of National Garden Scheme (NGS) was due to take place on Sunday 5th July. Obviously, under current Government guidelines, opening are not able to take place. NGS is keeping abreast of new guidelines as they are issued and formulating plans for how openings might work once they are able to take place again. However, as the date of Avon Dassett’s opening is only some six weeks, it is hard to imagine how an opening might operate in any way close to ’normal’ or that it would be sensible to bring a potentially large number of visitors into the village.

Therefore, the garden owners have made the decision that they will not open on 5th July, even if it is allowable to do so. As things change over the course of the year, the garden owners will keep in touch with NGS with a view to seeing if there are other ways that they can support NGS in the valuable work they do.

Avon Dassett VE Day Commemorative Newspaper Published

 

A newspaper to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VE Day has been published by Avon Dassett Local History Group. The paper contains local news from the 1940s including the election of Avon Dassett resident, John Profumo to Parliament in 1940, VE Day celebrations, weddings, births and deaths and misdemeanours including riding bicycles without regulation lights and owning unlicensed dogs.

Current Avon Dassett villagers also recorded memories of their own relatives who served in WWII. These include intrepid stories of surviving a torpedo attack in the Arctic, being shot down whilst flying over enemy lines, and a member of the bomb disposal team who defused V1 rockets.

A copy of the newspaper has been distributed to each household in Avon Dassett and has been received enthusiastically:

“I thought the Chronicle was wonderful and as I have lived here a long time can remember a few of them.” (Sandy)

“Fabulous Chronicle! Well done to all those involved” (Richard)

“A triumph!” (Darrell)

The newspaper was researched by Avon Dassett Local History group and designed by Nine Point High.

VE Day Singalong

Thanks to Sally Crompton who has co-ordinated this fantastic 1940s Sing-along for VE Day (with a special additional song to thank the NHS/Care and Key workers).

The singalong may be found on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ig6ZePTGMsU

And the song sheet is here:

The YouTube video will be broadcast throughout the village at 3 pm with some live singers (socially distanced of course) to lead the village in a communal sing song.

Villagers are encouraged to be in their gardens from about 2 pm to enjoy a picnic to commemorate VE Day.