Parish Clerk

Please be advised that a small group of travellers at Pyecombe with Irish number plates have moved on this afternoon so please keep an eye out for them in case of illegal encampment.

It would appear that there are still a number of small groups currently in the county who are on the move.

Telephone Sussex Police on number 101 or e-mail to: 101@susses.pnn.police.uk

Mid Sussex District Council have put together a Play Days at Home online Programme and are encouraging familes to visit the webpage below and register to receive information and updates.  Children are encouraged to download the stencil drawing of the Play Days at Home logo to colour in and put in their windows to say they are part of the “Play Days at Home Club” and would like photos of their artwork and creations sent in to MSDC.  Each week Tomfoolery will announce a winner who will receive a £10 voucher.

www.midsussex.gov.uk/playdays

The 6 weeks programme  is starting on Monday 20^th July for both Under and Over 10’s. 

For the Under 10’s there will be ½ hour programme released every morning Monday to Friday at 11.00 am through a link on the webpage above which will direct to the MSDC YouTube channel.  All programmes will be available to view after they have been released each day – just in case they were missed or needed a catch up on content. 

There is also a programme for the Over 10’s – “Virtual Festival”.  This one hour programme of 3 parts will be released every Monday from 20^th July for young people to view in their own time

Please be advised of a group of travellers (6-8 caravans) who are currently on land in Albourne but are likely to depart shortly.  As such please ensure that any land is secured and please remain vigilant.

If travellers do arrive and settle on land (be that private or public), please ensure that you carry out the following actions:

Telephone Sussex Police on number 101 or e-mail to: 101@susses.pnn.police.uk

Wineham Lane, from the junction with Bob Lane to Cowfold Road will be closed from 09:30 until 15:00 on 14th July 2020.

This closure is necessary to allow Balfour Beatty to undertake urgent carriageway pothole repairs on behalf of WSCC.
Emergency vehicle, Residential and Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times and an alternative route for traffic will be sign-posted.
This restriction will be effective for a maximum of 5 days from the start date given above.
Any queries about the effect of the closure on traffic using the highway please contact
West Sussex County Council on 01243 642105
Any queries about the works please contact Balfour Beatty on 01243 642105
Dated 22 June 2020

Please note that additional information and tips for Covid-19 and the heatwave has been issued by the government.

• Fans should not be used if someone in your home has been confirmed or suspected as having Covid-19, as this could increase the spread of infection
• If no-one in your home has Covid-19 or suspected Covid-19, angle fans away from you to limit the spread of germs. Remember that fans are ineffective in temperatures above 35⁰C and cause increased dehydration

• Paracetamol (and aspirin) may be used to manage COVID-related symptoms but it is recommended that they are not used solely to reduce body temperature. Always consult your pharmacist, GP or NHS 111 for advice
• Keep cool and hydrated by regularly sipping cold water-based drinks and avoid alcohol
• Use sponges or cloths made damp by cold water to help control your temperature
• Close blinds and curtains to help control the temperature of your home
• Check on the wellbeing of vulnerable friends and family who may be shielding or who are isolated. Remember to observe social distancing guidance

The full guidance can be found here.

Please note WSCC has suspended the 15 month Inspection and Maintenance Cycle, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and is currently only taking action on Public Rights of Way where reported issues require work to ensure public safety on the network. Should any enquiries received not be of this nature it will be logged so it can be prioritised and addressed in the future when normal working practices are resumed. We are currently reviewing when we can re-start inspections in line with government guidance and ask you for your patience in dealing with issues that arise. It is also important to note that our summer clearance programme for surface vegetation has now begun on selected paths and is running between the 1^st June and mid-August.

• At this time it is important to remind people that public footpaths are for use by the public on foot only and cycling on these routes is a trespass against the landowner. This unlawful use risks conflict on the paths themselves and considerable challenges for people trying to keep the necessary 2m apart whilst enjoying the countryside.

• It is also important to note that landowners are responsible for any side vegetation encroaching onto the path and any structures on the PROW network, such as stiles and gates. If appropriate to do so please contact the landowner, if known, directly to make them aware of the issue but if not you can continue to report such issues by following the link below.

https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/land-waste-and-housing/public-paths-and-the-countryside/public-rights-of-way/report-a-problem-with-a-right-of-way/#report-a-problem

• A final reminder is the need to ensure good hygiene when using the PROW network including regular hand washing along with social distancing in line with government advice.

Please be advised that another group of travellers arrived at K2 Leisure Centre on Thursday, having moved from the coast.  We have in the past seen the District targeted for un-authorised encampments as the next stop from Crawley and as such please ensure that your land is secured.

Again, if you see anything suspicious please contact the police on 101 or email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Residents will be able to dispose of the following items at all sites in West Sussex:

• garden waste
• general household waste
• wood
• cardboard
• electrical items
• bulky items
• white goods
• furniture.

Vans and pickup trucks with a permit can now enter sites. Trailers are still not allowed at this time, to help ensure social distancing and to limit queues.

Further information on what is happening at the Household Waste Recycling Sites at this time can be found on the links below and these will be regularly updated.

http://www.recycleforwestsussex.org/

https://www.wastepreventionwestsussex.co.uk/

Please be advised that a large group of travellers (19 caravans) arrived recently on land in Crawley, owned by Gatwick Airport.  Sussex Police have confirmed that this is the same group that visited some 2 years ago targeting sites in the Mid-Sussex area.  It is understood that the group were particularly difficult to deal with and stayed for a lengthy period.

There have also been reports of suspicious looking vehicles and people scoping out land in neighbouring parishes last weekend which have been reported to the Sussex Rural Police Team.

Please be aware of anything suspicious happening in Bolney, and if you see anything please contact the police on 101 or email;  101@sussex.pnn.police.uk 

Dear residents,

We know that the current situation is affecting our residents in various different ways and we would like to understand how we can effectively support you.

We are launching a survey to gather your views and to assess the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on your lives.

Tell us how your lives have changed, how you are coping and what your thoughts are on life after this crisis. Your answers will help to shape our response to the current crisis as well as our plans for the future.

Please take 10-15 minutes out of your day to complete this very important survey by Sunday 31 May 2020.

Thank you in advance for your time and for your continued support.