News

Call for people aged 70 and over to contact NHS for jab

12th February 2021

People aged 70 and over who've yet to be vaccinated and want to be, can now contact the NHS to arrange a jab.

Until now the NHS had asked people to wait until they were contacted, to help ensure that those who are most vulnerable are protected first – and that remains the case for people anyone aged under 70.

If you’re aged 70 or over, have yet to receive your invitation letter and want to arrange your vaccination at a location in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, you can now book online.

Those 65 years or over, are set to start receiving vaccination invites next week.

Shropshire Council provide a Freqently Asked Questions page about vaccinations. https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/information-for-the-public/vaccination-faqs/

There is a free transport service for vulnerable residents to get to a vaccination centre.

In order to get help, you must have had a letter inviting you for vaccination in Shropshire, and you must be unable to get there any other way. Subject to availability, Shropshire Council will be able to provide transport to help you get to your appointment and back.

If you or someone you know would benefit from the free transport offer, please contact the council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 and select option 0.

Spring Blossoms in the Pavilion Secret Garden - hand in date now 27th February 2021

8th February 2021

Premium Vector | Cartoon wreath of knitted elements and accessories and spring flowers. hand drawing. illustration

Spring Blossoms in the Secret Garden

*** Contribution date extended***

As it is now not looking likely that the Pavilion and library will be open on the 20^th February we are extending the date for contributions of knitted flowers and crafts to the 27^th February 2021.

We need pink, white, yellow and blue flowers, green leaves, birds, bees, butterflies and insects for our outside spring theme.

Fingers crossed that the display will be open for viewing by early spring.

For project updates, patterns, ideas etc www.pontesburypavilion.co.uk

https://pontesburylibrary.co.uk/ and Pontesbury Pavilion facebook page.

Thank you for your wonderful contributions so far and continuing support.

CLEANER REQUIRED

4th February 2021

Pontesbury Parish Council is looking for self-employed cleaner to clean the public toilets on Main road, daily Monday-Friday.

There would also be an opportunity to provide cover for annual leave and sickness at The Pavilion Community Hub and Library. This is approximately 8 hours per week when required.

For further information please email Parish Clerk on clerk@pontesburypc.org.uk or telephone 01691 661157.

Pontesbury Play Area – please help us to keep it open

4th February 2021

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

VACANCY FOR A DEPUTY CLERK/RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

3rd February 2021

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

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

26th January 2021

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

Free transport for vaccinations

26th January 2021

Free transport to vaccine appointments

Longmynd Travel is offering free transport for anyone over 70 or in a vulnerable group who needs help getting to their Covid-19 vaccine appointment. Once you have booked a date and time for your vaccine appointment, please call Val on 01743 861999 to book your free transport. Shropshire Council is also providing free transport - https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2021/01/coronavirus-free-transport-to-help-shropshire-residents-get-vaccinations/

Spring Blossoms in the Pavilion Secret Garden

22nd January 2021

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.

A group of colorful flowers
Description automatically generated with low confidence A close up of a flower
Description automatically generated with medium confidence A picture containing connector, close, footwear
Description automatically generated

Community Good Neighbours Scheme - Pontesbury and Rea Valley

22nd January 2021

Community Good Neighbours

Pontesbury and Rea Valley

If you’re alone, elderly or isolated our local volunteers can help with a friendly chat over the phone, collecting your prescription or shopping.

Do give us a call on 07944 891 953 and leave your name and number!

You can also follow or contact us on:

Facebook: Goodneigbourspontesbury.org.uk

Website: www.goodneighbourspontesbury.org.uk

Email: help@goodneighbourspontesbury.org.uk

Logo
Description automatically generated

February 2021 update. We currently have over 40 volunteers being trained and getting involved in helping around the community which is a great help during these difficult times. Don’t forget to contact us if you would benefit from some help with shopping/prescription deliveries, especially if you are shielding. You can contact us on 07944891953, by email or now through our facebook site (see web address above). Please also get in touch if you are interested in volunteering. We are also looking for someone to help with administration and some additional members for the Steering group who co-ordinate the project.

Thank you as always to all of our local funders – Pontesbury Cricket Club, Pontesbury Charity, Pontesbury, Minsterley & Hanwood parish councils, Allcare, Severn Rotary, St George’s Church, and the many individuals within the community.