News

MIDHURST VACCINATIONS GET STARTED AT LAST

Vaccinations are finally underway for those residents registered

with GP’s in Midhurst and some have already received their appointment dates.  Vaccinations will be given at the Riverbank Medical Centre.

Parish councillors have raised queries with our county councillors and MP as to why West Sussex is far behind Hampshire in getting mass vaccinations underway. 

Holders of concessionary bus passes will be able to travel free in West Sussex before 9.30am so.  More information about the county council’s bus pass scheme is available here.

An information guide to the vaccine is available on the Government website.  The PCEG are hoping to have some hard copy guides available soon.

View the online guide 

Mass Vaccination Centre in Chichester 

A mass vaccination centre is expected to open soon.  Residents will be invited by letter to book an appointment via National Booking Service.

See more about the West Sussex Vaccination Programme

Trouble Travelling?

If you are invited to attend a vaccination appointment but can’t make your own travel arrangements, please Contact Us or call the Parish Council on 07787 651701

 

SUPPORTING OUR NHS

We know that many of us want to show our heartfelt appreciation for our NHS staff who are working so hard in such difficult and overwhelming circumstances.

The PCEG have been in touch with QA hospital to see how we can help.  We cannot send gifts or cakes but we can send donations which will be used to support the staff showing such dedication in looking after us.

If you are able to show your appreciation by donating, the details are;

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/QAhospitalheroes

or

https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/charity/Donate/Donate.htm

 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY

Recover and rise for local businesses

Local businesses in your area may be interested to know that a series of online workshops are available to them. The West Sussex Recover & Rise in 2021 workshops aim to give West Sussex small businesses a robust toolkit to survive – and hopefully grow – in 2021.Topics include goal setting and business planning, plus critical digital skills like social media, Google Analytics and Search Engine Optimisation.

Vintage local film coming soon

On Tuesday 16 February series two of West Sussex Unwrapped goes live.

Brought to you by West Sussex Record Office and Screen Archive South East, this new 8-part series will allow residents to explore the historical, celebratory, nostalgic & quirky sides of West Sussex. Watch the trailer here.

 

GETTING THROUGH LOCKDOWN

HARTING ART TRAIL

Is lockdown stirring your creative juices?

Are you an artist or craftsman who has been unable to do business?

Harting Art Trail could be for you

 

COOK FOR YOUR NEIGHBOUR

If you enjoy cooking and baking and have missed being able to share food with friends and family, how about making something lovely for your neighbour.

Maybe just make something nice and drop it off as a surprise.   Or get in touch with your neighbour and have a meal swop.   

 

COMMUNITY PATCHWORK

Our community patchwork project is still going.

Get creative and be as colourful as you dare and sew your ‘patch’.  The design can be anything that depicts this moment or your family or the nature that surrounds us – in fact anything you like as long as its colourful. All the ‘patches’ will be joined together for one wonderful community quilt that can be displayed in our community as a lasting testament. Do as many as you wish.

Result………The assembled artwork will be charted and generations to come will be able to identify the family creation!!

Any questions – contact Sally Woodhead 07551 728 199 or 01730 825 958

 

VIRTUAL TOURS OF THE NIGHT SKY

The South Downs National Park are giving live online tours of the night sky starting from Monday 15^th February. The highlights will include stunning astrophotography, nocturnal wildlife talks, children’s colouring activities and a chance to win a top-of-the-range telescope. Also on offer will be a guide to stargazing from your home, a night-time safari and talks from astronomers. Have a look at the South Downs National Park website where the full programme will be published soon.

Did you know? – the national park is one of only 18 designated Dark Sky Reserves in the world.

Print version of  this newsletter

Chichester District Vaccination Rollout

At St Richards Hospital – Vaccinations are already underway at St Richards Hospital for frontline  health and social care workers and for patients attending appointments

GP Led Vaccinations – For residents registered with GP’s in Midhurst – the vaccination programme is now up and running at the Riverbank Medical Centre.  Your GP will contact you with an appointment time and date.

Mass Vaccination Centre in Chichester – A large mass vaccination centre is expected to open soon.  Residents will be invited by letter to book an appointment via National Booking Service.

See more about the West Sussex Vaccination Programme

Roving Service – a mobile vaccination service will be taken to some care homes and private homes of those unable to travel.

See more information from Chichester District Council

 

 

Petersfield District Vaccination Rollout

GP Led Vaccinations – For residents registered with GP’s in Petersfield, vaccinations are already underway at Petersfield Festival Hall.  Your GP will notify you of your appointment time.

 

Trouble Travelling?

If you are invited to attend a vaccination appointment but can’t make your own travel arrangements, please Contact Us or call the Parish Council on 07787 651701

 

IMPORTANT – BEWARE OF FRAUD AND SCAMS

Covid-19 vaccinations are only available via the NHS and are always free of charge

• You will never have to give your bank details or any payment
• You will never be asked for your PIN or banking password
• The NHS will never arrive unannounced at your home
• The NHS will never ask for identification such as passport or utility bill

The community tree planting days in The Warren planned for January and February are another event to fall victim to national lockdown restrictions.  The parish council, with agreement of The Tree Council, have been forced to cancel the planned days.  Social distancing regulations and ‘Stay at Home’ guidance make it impossible for volunteers to get together.  With the tree planting season ending in March the decision has been taken not to reschedule another date until autumn this year.

The good news is that 2900 tree and shrub saplings will be planted by professional contractors MJO Forestry in the next few weeks.  A variety of species native to this area and suitable for the landscape will be planted both inside and outside the area of deer fencing.  See more information about the planting scheme.

An area will be kept clear to enable planting to take place later this year and a further 800 saplings planted by our community volunteers.  All fingers are crossed that we will be able to get together in a more normal environment and make it a good day out.

Harting Tree Champions will continue to look after the re-growth in The Warren.  Get in touch and get involved

 

 

We are back in a national lockdown.  The changes to the rules can be confusing but we have tried to make sense of what has changed;

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary.

You may only leave home to shop for basic necessities for your household or a vulnerable person.

You can leave home to exercise outdoors with your household or one person from another household. You should not leave your local area. Exercise should now be limited to once a day. Parks, beaches, public gardens and forests remain open.  Outdoor sporting venues such as gyms, swimming pools and golf courses will now be closed.

Schools and colleges will remain closed until at least mid February

There is additional advice for those who are clinically vulnerable. Letters will be sent to those affected

You should still attend medical appointments or seek urgent medical attention if necessary.

This is not a complete list.  More information is available on our Covid-19 pages and on Government websites.

 

We are in this together

We are all in this together but we know that some are affected than others.  Look out for your neighbours and don’t forget that help and support is on hand if you find yourself in need – even if it is just for a chat on the telephone.

Contact Us or Call 07787 651701

 

From Boxing Day West Sussex and Hampshire enter Tier 4 – the highest level of lockdown.

The Parish Council Emergency Group is active and able to help with shopping and other essential tasks if you are unwell or in isolation. Call your buddy if you need any help.   Or call the Parish Council on 07787 651701.

See more information on the Tier 4 restrictions

Harting Primary School will be carol singing around South Harting on Tuesday 15th December accompanied, in traditional style, by the Salvation Army band.

Join in with our youngest singers for a socially distanced singalong. 

Find the words to the selected carols

 

Carol Singing Route

7.00pm – meet at school

1 – Warrenside flats

2 – The Rectory, The Street

3 – Intersection: North Lane and The Square

4 – Lower Culvers

5 – Hall car-park/Pease Croft

Subject to the weather and health of those involved!  We may add some additional stops on this route, depending on timings, weather, etc.

The re-planting of The Warren  has made it into national newspapers.  The Daily Mail arrived to report on a visit from the Chief Executive of Network Rail, Andrew Haines, and the CEO of The Tree Council, Sarah Lom who came to plant two symbolic yew trees and to have a look at the progress made so far in the regeneration plan.  Network Rail funded the grant of over £32,000 awarded by The Tree Council for the replanting of The Warren.  The hoped for full planting day could not take place due to Covid restrictions but the two CEO’s were keen to see the progress of the natural regeneration protection.

Two community volunteer planting days are planned for January 2021, weather and lockdown restrictions permitting.  It is hopes that around 800 saplings will be planted by a band of local volunteers.   

Every night in December an advent window will be unveiled in South Harting between 5pm and 8pm. The idea, the inspiration of our Rector Harriet Neale-Stevens, will see a trail of decorated windows grow through the village until Christmas Day.  

Christmas has officially arrived with the annual ‘lighting up’ in Warrenside on 1st December.

Although the usual party couldn’t take place the lights went on and local families braved the cold but moonlit evening to have a look.

A welcome sight in any year but especially now when we could all do with a bit of Christmas cheer.

Around 20 residents of West Harting gathered on a rainy Sunday in October to carry out an organised litter pick around West Harting, including Ryefields, Goose Green and Quebec. Whilst the main purpose was to clean up the roads and verges of debris, it was a good excuse to get together with neighbours for a chat as well as as tidy up.there was also a strong social and community element as well, enabling residents to meet and chat as they tidied up.

Marc Newton, a newish resident to West Harting, who organised the event said “To see so many local people coming out to help care for this place is incredibly heart-warming Many thanks to all who braved the rain to help keep West Harting clean and tidy. We are so lucky to live in such an amazing place.”

 John Miller, Parish Councillor who lives in West Harting, added, ” We collected 12 bags of rubbish! We were very grateful to Harting Parish Council and especially Trish Walker, the Parish Clerk, for supplying special refuse bags, and loaning litter grabbers, gloves and hi-visibility jackets. This was all about doing good and having fun.”

Contributor – John Miller