Under the current lockdown, updated government guidance allows us to keep the play area open as outdoor play as exercise does benefit children.  However guidance  stresses the severity of the spread of the virus currently and asks people not to use these spaces to congregate socially.

We are asking for people to use the area with COVID in mind ie.,

• Maintain social distance between households at all times
• Only one adult accompanying each family group of children
• Only one family on each piece of play equipment at any one time
• Only 6 people (counting children) in the Junior fenced area at any one time
• Regularly sanitising hands and washing hands when you get home
• Please dispose of any PPE and rubbish in the bins provided
• No eating or drinking

We have removed a couple of swings and we appreciate that this does cause inconvenience however it is in keeping with government guidance to halt the spread of the virus.

Thank you for your vigilance

Pontesbury Parish Council

Patients in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin urged to contact NHS 111 first

The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford are both dealing with high numbers of patients right now - anyone in need of urgent medical care in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin should contact NHS 111 first online or by phone.

Health advisors can help find the best place for treatment and give a time to come in if a face-to-face assessment is needed. The service, staffed by trained health advisers, will book the caller a time slot for the most appropriate service, such as our urgent treatment centres or minor injuries units, or, if needed, A&E (Emergency Department ) at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) or the Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford.

By calling NHS 111 first, it will help the NHS manage the flow of patients when capacity in waiting rooms is much smaller than before, to maintain safe distancing and reduce the risk of Covid-19 infection.

If the situation is serious or life-threatening please call 999 immediately. Likewise, if the condition is not serious, seek advice from a pharmacy or make an appointment with a GP.

#Think111First 111.nhs.uk

The Pavilion Community Hub and Library - Serving Pontesbury and the wider Rea Valley communities

During the current lockdown the Library is running a Ready Reads (Click & Collect) service, although the building is closed to the public.  More information about this can be found on the Shropshire Library Service website www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries.   The building continues to provide support for the Community Good Neighbours Scheme Pontesbury and Rea Valley (as a postal address and for DBS checks for volunteers) and as a venue for St Barnabas debt advice sessions. The Friends of Pontesbury Library (FOPL) library lottery is open again for business along with some exciting online entertainment.  Check out the FOPL website for more information. https://pontesburylibrary.co.uk/

During the Friends of Pontesbury Library/St George’s Christmas trail, the Pavilion ‘Secret Garden’ which had been beautifully decorated, was open for visitors.  A big thank you to everyone involved. 

We are currently inviting people to join our ‘Spring Blossoms in the Pavilion Secret Garden’ community art project and make flowers, insects, birds, bees etc. to decorate the garden for when we can open the building again in Spring.  Check out the Pavilion website www.pontesburypavilion.co.uk/ for ideas of what to make and more information about how you can get involved. 

Pontesbury Parish Council has a vacancy for a Deputy Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer to commence work ideally by 6 April 2021.

Closing date for Applications: 17.00 on Friday 12^th February 2021

Pontesbury Parish Council is looking for a methodical and experienced person to join the parish council team of Parish Clerk, Pavilion Building Assistant and Councillors.  In addition to a wide range of facilities managed by the council, it is currently overseeing the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan and intends to roll out its strategic plan for 2021-21 – a programme of events and services to benefit the community. This is an interesting and varied position working mainly from home.

Pontesbury Parish is comprised of the thriving, large village of Pontesbury (7 miles from the county town of Shrewsbury) in Shropshire and various smaller villages/settlements within the rural surrounding area. The parish council serves a population of approximately 4000. There are 15 councillors covering 5 wards.

The post holder will:

• Fulfil the role of the responsible finance officer as required by the Local Audit and Accountability Accounts and Audit Regulations legislation
• To be responsible for all aspects of the council's finances including governance, accountability, transparency and audit requirements
• Provide administrative support for two Parish Council Committees
• Oversee the day to day running of The Pavilion (Community Building) alongside the Pavilion Building Assistant/Cleaner
• Support the Clerk with various Parish Council services/amenities

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and community focused individual with sound financial management, administrative, communication and organisational skills who is able to be flexible in their approach and able to meet deadlines.

The salary is based on 18.5 hours per week. The Salary will be calculated according to the Nation Joint Council rates dependent upon qualifications and/or experience but will be within the SCP 20 - 24 (£25,991 - £28,672 pro-rata for 18.5 hours).

Interviews, including a short presentation, will be held on Monday 22 February 2021 with a view to start by 6 April 2021.  Interviews may be held virtually depending on COVID-19 restrictions.

Please see links below for an application form, job description or further information,  or email clerk@pontesburypc.org.uk/call Parish Clerk on 01691 661157.  Contact the Parish Clerk for an informal discussion about this post.

More information about The Pavilion, community building can be found at www.pontesburypavilion.co.uk