Category Archives: News

Avon Dassett Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

AVON DASSETT QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Programme

Thursday 2nd June

1730: Sing along at The Yew Tree: Songs from every decade of the Queen’s reign. Film Quiz with prizes

2030: Lighting of beacon on Burton Dassett Hills

Friday 3rd June

Morning: Judging best decorated house competition

1400-1600: Vintage Teas in the Reading Room and Village Treasure Hunt with prizes. Free Frellies ice cream for all participants

Band at The Yew Tree

Saturday 4th June

1830 til late: Jubilee party at Bitham Hall, sit down three course meal and disco

Sunday 5th June

1600-1800: Sports afternoon and picnic at Avon Carrow

Other celebrations to come: commemorative pottery installation and tree planting

For more details contact Liz Hirst (07811 343 556)

Mental Health Support from Sky Blues in the Community

MENtalk takes place:

  • In Warwick on Tuesdays from 12 till 2pm at St Nicholas’ Park Leisure Centre (CV34 4QY)
  • In Rugby on Wednesdays from 10am till 12pm at Rugby School Sports Centre (CV22 5DJ)
  • In Coventry on Thursdays from 12 till 2pm at Moat House Leisure Centre (CV2 1EA)
  • In Nuneaton on Fridays from 2 till 4pm at Jubilee Sports Centre (CV10 7EZ)

WOMENtalk takes place:

  • In Warwick on Tuesdays from 10am till 12 at St Nicholas’ Park Leisure Centre (CV34 4QY)
  • In Nuneaton on Fridays from 12 till 1.30pm at Jubilee Sports Centre (CV10 7EZ)

Paul’s story

Here’s a case study from Paul, one of our recent MENtalk beneficiaries who’s been able to return to work following our support and regular attendance at Coventry sessions:

“When I first joined MENtalk I wasn’t in a great place mentally. Even after my first session I was still undecided, but I went back and was very glad I did. Both Sky Blues in the Community coaches were really approachable and made me feel welcome; as did all the other guys who were involved. I really enjoyed each session and they really helped me with my mental health, so I started to look forward to going every week. I’ve made friends and also completed a leadership qualification while I was involved. Even though I’m now back in work, I really miss the Thursday sessions. MENtalk has helped me a great deal and really helped me through a tough time.”

Partnership – online update event – Thursday 28th April from 10-11am

We’d like to invite you to an online session where we’ll provide our latest news, developments and answer questions about our work. We hope you can make it. Please register here if you’d like to attend:

Microsoft Teams meeting

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Learn More | Meeting options

Mental Health Co-ordinator position

We’re looking for a new team member to support our mental health work and are currently recruiting, so please let your networks know about this exciting new role. See below for more details:

https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2022/march/vacancy-mental-health-co-ordinator-at-sky-blues-in-the-community/

The post holder will deliver our mental health work with a focus on developing our children and young people’s offer across Coventry and Warwickshire. This will involve planning and delivering our mental wellbeing intervention which includes mental wellbeing courses, 1-2-1 support and physical activity support networks. The deadline for applications is Friday 29th April.

FREE Bushcraft Course

Please find below details of a FREE-8-week bushcraft course for adults who are experiencing anxiety, depression, isolation, or just poor wellbeing.  It is a great opportunity to connect people with nature for wellbeing.

The course is in partnership with Recovery Academy and starts on Friday 1 April 2022 at Brandon Marsh, Coventry, CV3 3GW.

To find out more see: https://www.recoveryandwellbeing.co.uk/Courses (Course name: The Environment and Me) or call 024 7622 9988

Avon Dassett’s Experiences of the Civil War

An exciting project has transcribed the loss accounts from the Civil War which took place in England between 1642 and 1646. Parishes like Avon Dassett were called upon to quarter and provision troops and horses from both sides, as well as supply money, goods and even arms. The village was also taxed to support the garrison at Warwick castle. After the war, parishes were encouraged to submit details of the losses they had suffered during the conflict and the compensation claimed. There is no evidence if this was ever paid or not.

The only local person named in the Avon Dassett accounts is Richard Woodward, described as a gentleman but he does name the officers and regiments who passed through the village and the support that was given.

The records give a fascinating insight into this troubled period of British history and shed light on how it affected ordinary communities.

The Avon Dassett accounts may be viewed on the Warwickshire County Record Office website. The transcriptions were done by volunteers led by Dr Maureen Harris.

Funding available to support jubilee celebrations

With the Jubilee weekend approaching fast funds are changing regularly-apply ASAP

Government web site https://platinumjubilee.gov.uk/funding/

The National Lottery Community Fund are making available grants of up to £10,000 from the Awards For All programme for community-led events throughout 2022.

Deadline 31st March 2022

https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding/programmes/national-lottery-awards-for-all-england

The National Lottery Heritage Fund 

https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/news/ps7million-legacy-nature-and-communities-queens-jubilee

Sport England have opened their Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Activity Fund, focusing on the role of sport and physical activity in tackling inequalities and building stronger communities

https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/our-funds/queens-platinum-jubilee-activity-fund

The Arts Council has also announced £175,000 to help libraries celebrate. The funding will be distributed by Libraries Connected, and will provide £1,000 for each library service

Throughout the year community organisations will also be able to apply for grants from the Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants programme, which has been refreshed with new guidance to better support a broader range of ambitious cultural projects

Non-Jubilee branded but worth a look

Heart of England Community Foundation  https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/available-grants/

Magic Little Grants will be awarding £500 grants to 2,650 charitable organisations https://localgiving.org/magic-little-grants/

Land South of Bitham Hall

Dear Residents

The recent Parish Plan identified that Avon Dassett’s natural beauty and unspoilt nature was overwhelmingly the main reason why people enjoyed living in the village. It also recorded that the main improvements that residents wanted were for increased amenities, for example, the most requested was for allotments followed by a dog walking field as well as improved play activities, wild areas and village orchard.

A once in a lifetime opportunity has arisen for the community to purchase land in the centre of the village which would ensure the survival of the natural landscape as well as providing many opportunities to increase village amenities. The land is currently regularly  used by the village for walking and exercising dogs, so therefore there is proven evidence of heavy usage.

A steering group has been established to take this forward. The Parish Council have designed a questionnaire which will help provide evidence and input from residents for any community purchase. A Parish Council meeting on 7th March was well attended and encouraged the Parish Council to assist in taking this forward. As the auction is time tabled to go ahead before the end of the month, there is very little time. The Parish Council and steering group are exploring ways in which they can gain more time.

Please complete the questionnaire that has been delivered to you and add your support to safeguard the village environment.

Many Thanks

Trevor Gill

Michael Blakeman

Liz Hirst

Phil Baxter

Darrell Muffitt

 

Pharmacy survey

             Public Health is currently working on a survey about local pharmacies to try and understand resident’s needs from their pharmacy service. The survey is open to everyone and only takes a couple of minutes to do.  If you would be able to complete it or circulate it, it would be very much appreciated.

Last chance to have your say on local pharmacy services.

Warwickshire and Coventry councils are asking residents to share their thoughts on their local pharmacy services.

The survey is open now and closes on 13th March – have your say here.

Whether you use a pharmacy or not, your opinion is important to help us understand and deliver a service that meets local needs.

Your feedback will support the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment which will shape pharmacy services across both Coventry and Warwickshire.

The survey is available online, however, if you need a printed version please email your name and address to PNAsurvey@coventry.gov.uk or call 08085 834333

To find out more about the PNA, click here.