A morning round-up of cancellations, changes and closures and ways people in Petersfield are supporting each other during the coronavirus outbreak. Today, actor Abigail McKern joins us live from Buriton.
Produced by the team at Petersfield Community Radio. Contact 01730 555 500 or email team@petersfieldradio.uk
Transcript
SCHOOLS
We’ll start with the local schools. We’re sure you’re already aware that Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday afternoon that UK schools will close from Friday – except to look after the children of keyworkers and vulnerable children.
But what about the rest of this week? Well, our volunteers at Petersfield Community Radio were working the phones yesterday to speak with the majority of our schools, which enables us to provide you with this round up …
TPS is open as usual on Thursday and Friday – but year 9s are not in because of a shortage of teaching staff. The canteen is fully open for hot food. All trips and overseas visits have already been cancelled.
Herne Junior is fully open for Today and Tomorrow.
Chucher’s College continues to provide a full academic programme but, as we reported yesterday, extra-curricular activities have stopped. Yesterday the sixth-form students enjoyed dancing through their gym class.
Sheet – open but some pupils have been excluded by parents and advice was sent out about home schooling and anxiety advice etc.
Steep – intending to be open on Thursday. Teachers preparing online work for pupils so they can continue to learn from home from Friday.
Buriton – planning to be open on Thursday. School meals are still being provided.
East Meon – to stay open until the end of the week. 2 staff members are off and a number of pupils are self-isolating owing to ill or eldery family members. Lunch staff are down from 3 to 1 so that makes for some fun in the kitchen. The school is well prepared, however, with homework for the pupils already circulated and contact information for parents should they need to reach a teacher.
Froxfield is following government guidelines and has been preparing work for pupils to do at home..
Langrish Primary – pupil numbers have been down and the school has already made online work available for pupils at home.
Liss Primary is currently not experiencing staffing issues.
Rogate Primary is continuing as normal until the end of the week with no staffing issues. They are “Remaining positive for the children …”
WHAT’S OFF …
Citizens Advice offices across East Hampshire, will be closed until further notice as a result of the coronavirus outbreak – but the team is very keen for you to know that their service remains open by telephone and internet. The Citizen’s Advice line is 0300 330 90 28 or online at citizensadvice.org.uk.
Petworth House, the Servants’ Quarters, café and shop will be closed from tomorrow <Friday, March 20> until further notice. However, Petworth Park and Pleasure Garden will remain open for you to enjoy free of charge …
The Gilbert White Museum, Garden and Cafe, in Selborne, are still open but all its March and April events have been postponed.
Petersfield Library remains open but with a reduced service. It is suspending all groups, clubs, activities, events and learning but is open for book borrowing and IT access.
Petersfield Museum has postponed all its talks and events until further notice. For more information visit petersfieldmuseum.co.uk
Petersfield Arts and Crafts Society has revised its programme and postponed some activities. You can find out more on its website petersfieldartsandcrafts.org.uk
National Trust houses, shops and cafes including those at Uppark and Hinton Ampner will be closed from Friday to restrict the spread of coronavirus. The grounds remain open but do check their website for further information.
The rest of this year’s spring and summer Bedales’ events programme has been cancelled. But the Petersfield Shakespeare Festival is still scheduled to go ahead this summer.
The Town Hall is now closed for non-essential visits but you can still reach the council by phone, Facebook or its website at petersfield-tc.gov.uk
The Vintage Fair at Rake Village Hall, scheduled for this Sunday has – yes, you’ve guessed it – also been cancelled.
Events held by East Hampshire District Council will also be cancelled or postponed.
Events called off already are:
- The Duke of Gloucester’s visit to Whitehill & Bordon – Thursday March 26
- The East Hampshire Sports Awards – Thursday March 26
- Petersfield Dementia Festival – Friday May 15
TPS’ decision to close its facilities to external groups means that, among others, the Italia Conti show scheduled to take place this weekend, has been postponed … not cancelled, just postponed.
The Petersfield Musical Festival has now published details of how to apply for ticket refunds, so check out its website petersfieldmusicalfestival.org.uk.
And, for any Pompey fans living locally – and we know there are a large number of you out there – if you haven’t heard, the Leasing.com Trophy final, scheduled for Sunday, April 5, has also been postponed.
If you were planning to attend an event in the next few weeks check online at https://petersfieldradio.uk/events to see its status – there’s a very good chance it’s been postponed.
One piece of good news, however – Butser Ancient Farm is very much OPEN. Being ancient they know a thing or two about survival. Best of all, entrance is free for children and all adults get in on a concessionary rate until further notice. Check the website for opening hours which may change from time to time. It’s at butserancientfarm.co.uk
TIP OF THE MORNING TO YOU…
If you run out of stamps and don’t want to go to the shops or Post Office – even when it is open – you can always print your own from home – visit parcel.royalmail.com or search for ‘royal mail print your own’. It’s aimed at parcel users but you can also print stamps for letters – and at 61p for 2nd class it’s cheaper than the real thing.
As we mentioned yesterday the Petersfield Coronavirus Community Support network has been established to connect volunteers with people who may need assistance through self-isolation. You can reach the group by phone – 07392 021 920, by email at petersfieldcoronacommunity@gmail.com, or via Facebook: just search for Petersfield Corona Virus Help Network.
RETAIL NEWS
The Flower Pots pub in Cheriton has closed until further notice but by way of consolation is offering a pop-up stall outside where customers can fill up their own containers with draught beer. What a great idea.
Oxfam has announced that it’s closing all its high street shops across the UK, including the one just off the Square, from this Saturday.
Online supermarket Ocado has shut down its app and website until Saturday, while the company works on ways of increasing the number of available delivery slots. Which brings us back to the suggestion we proffered yesterday about sharing a delivery slot – if you’re lucky enough to have one – with a neighbour.
Meanwhile, Tesco and Sainsbury’s are telling customers they can only buy three of any grocery item while they are also shutting fresh food counters. Asda is taking similar action and Morrisons is limiting purchases across 1,250 lines.
Basically, just buy what you need. Panic buying isn’t necessary and could cause problems for vulnerable individuals. It’s OK to go out and walk a dog, apparently, but you don’t see me stocking up on Shih Tzus …
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