A daily radio update of services and help available in the Petersfield area during the coronavirus outbreak – this morning with Laura Sheppard and Joff Lacey.
Send your offers of help or requests for people to help you to team@petersfieldradio.uk or telephone us on 01730 555 500.
Today, we hear from the Vicar of Petersfield Rev WIll Hughes, plus all the relevant information from across the Petersphere.
Which banks are open today?
LLoyds Bank
10am – 2pm
Nationwide
10am – 2pm
Santander
10am – 4pm
TSB
10am – 4pm
TRANSCRIPT
The Government has launched a coronavirus information service on WhatsApp. The new free-to-use service aims to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus and will further reduce the burden on NHS services. It is an automated ‘chatbot’ service which will allow you to get answers to the most common questions about coronavirus directly from the government.
To use the free service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘HI’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.
It’s bin day for many of us in Petersfield and the council has been in touch to say it is short staffed and must prioritise domestic waste collections over recycling. So the green bins will get emptied, but the black recycling bins may not.
They’ll endeavour to collect your recycling and garden waste on your regular day, but the council says this is likely to become increasingly difficult.
Petersfield’s Swan Surgery is reminding its patients not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if they have a high temperature or a new continuous cough. In a text sent to patients registered with the Swan Street doctors, the local practice says you should stay at home to limit spread of the virus. You can find all the latest health advice at nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Sixty Six Dental practice, in Station Road, has cancelled all appointments until the end of April and has closed for all routine dentistry. If you’re registered with the practice check sixtysixdental.co.uk.
We’ve received calls to help support people who live on Broadway Park. If you or someone you know lives on the Broadway Park estate, just off the Causeway, there’s a dedicated support group set-up to help you through the coronavirus outbreak.
For help with shopping and pharmaceutical deliveries you can contact the chairman of the Residents’ Association, Mike Gibson, on 01730 62 44 58.
Helen Long, from Strengthen & Stretch Weekly Workouts, has some free online workouts that can be completed at home, and are designed to be done in a small space. The exercises can be done by anyone, but are designed for the over 45s, and she has also posted some chair workouts for the over 70s.Visit the website at strengthenandstretch.co.uk and stay healthy.
The Government has announced motorists will be granted a six-month exemption from MOT testing. All cars, vans and motorcycles which would usually require an MOT text will be exempted from needing a test from March 30. Lorry, bus and trailer annual MOTs have also been suspended for three months. Vehicles must be kept in a roadworthy condition and garages will remain open for essential repair work. If your MOT test is due before March 30, you will still need to get your vehicle tested.
Staying with the transport theme, TJA Autos is still offering a mobile car repair service, as well as a collection and drop-off service. Owner Tom Arnold says he will wipe down all keys and cars on collection and handover. Get in touch on 07990 502117.
The Petersfield Food Bank, at the Methodist Church, is open for donations between 10am and midday, on Mondays and Wednesdays ONLY, that’s 10am to 12, on Mondays and Wednesdays ONLY and it is particularly in need of long-life milk.
Madeleine’s Kitchen, in Lavant St, has decided to close the deli in the current climate. In a tweet, the owners said: “Despite the option of offering a takeaway service, we feel we are not essential. We are so privileged to be part of this amazing town and value the support you have all offered us beyond words.”
Community First is working on behalf of local charities and community organisations to help recruit volunteers in this time of crisis. This is in response to the need to help support older and vulnerable people who are self-isolating. If you can help, register at volunteerwessex.org.
In times of vulnerability there are always some microbes looking to scam you, so be vigilant. For example, there are many fake World Health Organisation phishing emails going around at the moment, with rogue attachments and links, in addition to the vortex of disinformation on social media.
Indeed, on that very subject, the Department of Education yesterday tweeted about an email doing the rounds which states: ‘As schools will be closing, if you’re entitled to free school meals, please send your bank details and we’ll make sure you’re supported’. Like anything that asks for your bank details this is a scam – do not respond and delete immediately.
East Hampshire District Council has canceled its Playing Around Easter programme.
However, it wants to support parents in keeping children entertained, so it’s posting some activity ideas on its website at easthants.gov.uk and on its Facebook page. These range from educational activities to easy family recipes you can cook together, using ingredients already in your cupboards.
And finally, in yesterday’s bulletin, Dave said he did not know what an eAudioBook was – he was familiar with eBooks and AudioBooks but not eAudioBooks. Well, we’ve been informed that Audiobooks are available as CDs in the library, while eAudiobooks are the digital downloadable versions.
TRAVEL
South Western railway is running just one fast train and one stopping service each hour, each way. Stopping services will call additionally at Milford and Witley in both directions. The last service from London Waterloo is at 22:45. And, remember, trains are for essential travel only and the only reasons to travel legitimately are for necessary work, or to get food or medicine.
WEATHER
Cold at first today, but yet another dry and sunny day ahead with some glorious conditions in light North Easterly winds. Temperatures up to 13 degrees in the afternoon, but feeling much warmer if you’re out of the wind and sat in the sunshine.
And the outlook – Friday’s still fine but Petersfield met man Richard Marks says it’ll get increasingly cloudy as the weekend approaches and cold grey days lie ahead.
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