CORSHAM AND CORONAVIRUS - LATEST INFORMATION

For the most up-to-date Town Council and community information, please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/corshamtowncouncil/.

Do You Need Help?

Wiltshire Council has set up a dedicated hub to support the most vulnerable residents during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.The Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub is available to anyone who is struggling during this difficult time, such as people who are shielding or self-isolating and don't have a support network around them or know where to get help. Wiltshire Council's team can help provide support but also signpost you to where additional help is available in your local area (ie the Town Council) with hundreds of community groups set-up across the county providing invaluable assistance.

You can get in touch with the hub via email at wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk or by calling 0300 003 4576. It's available from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

If Wiltshire Council is unable to help, you can still call us on 01249 702130 and we will try and put you in touch with a local volunteer.

Corsham Foodbank

Corsham Foodbank is still open for business. They have changed their operation a little to try and distance clients from volunteers by making use of extra rooms at St Aldhelm’s.

Donations can be left at St Aldhelm’s Church (Pickwick Road, Corsham) from 10am- 11.30am on Tuesdays or 10am-12noon on Saturdays, or in the donation box at the Co-op.

If you have any questions please phone 07788 115095.

The Foodbank is also happy to accept monetary donations which can be made by BACS: Account name: Corsham Churches Food Bank; Sort Code 40-17-17; Account no. 01547607. Thank you.

Support for Businesses and the Self-Employed

Wiltshire Council has produced a round-up of the support available for businesses and the self-employed. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support or Swindon and Wiltshire Growth Hub at https://growthhub.swlep.co.uk/topics/coronavirus-covid-19.

Advice for Volunteers

Whether you've volunteered to look after your street, are taking care of a vulnerable neighbour or are just helping out friends and relations during this time, here's the latest government advice on how to help safely to protect them and you: https://www.gov.uk/…/coronav…/coronavirus-how-to-help-safely Wiltshire Council has also produced a Volunteer Pack, which you can download from their website at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/articles/volunteer-pack-published.

One Hour FREE Parking

The free parking all day, every day in all Corsham's car parks and the lifting of parking restrictions put in place by Wiltshire Council has now ended. (NHS staff and key care workers can still park for free but need proof - either a copy of their badge (with personal info deleted) or a letter from their employer left on the dashboard.) The Town Council's one-hour FREE parking scheme is now back, and will run until May 2021, with the hope that - if it makes a difference to our town centre businesses - we'll continue to fund the scheme in the future.

Wiltshire Council - Latest Coronavirus News, Help and Advice

For Wiltshire Council's response to the crisis, and the changes they've made to services, etc, visit the coronavirus section on their website: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus. You can also sign up for updates here too.

A Message from Corsham Town Council - 3 April 2020

Among all the messages going around, there are just two main points to emphasise from the Town Council’s perspective. Two weeks into the ‘stay at home’ period, we hope that there is no one out there in the community who is vulnerable for whatever reason and does not have support. If you know of anyone among your neighbours or friends who might be in that position, either ring us or suggest that they ring us, and we will do what we can.

Corsham Town Council Helpline 01249 702130

Voluntary groups and individuals have come forward to offer help with shopping or getting prescriptions and we can usually link people who need support to a volunteer. We also have contact details for support organisations such as Age UK, Citizens Advice and Wiltshire Mind.

The other important message is to say thank you to all those in our community who are going above and beyond to look after people and their needs during these difficult times, particularly NHS staff and carers, and many others – too many to mention. In fact, a mere thank you is not enough. We realise at times like this the importance of having a strong health care system staffed by hugely professional and dedicated staff at all levels. And we also depend on workers and volunteers in many other sectors, both public and private, who help to keep our society together on a day-to-day basis.

On behalf of the Town Council, thank you - all of you - for what you are doing.

Cllr Steve Abbott, Chairman, Corsham Town Council

David Martin, Chief Executive, Corsham Town Council

Coronavirus Statement from Corsham Town Council - 17 March 2020

Many people in Corsham have been asking for advice about Coronavirus and what to do if people have to self-isolate. Many others have been stepping forward to volunteer with shopping and other help and support for vulnerable people. The community spirit being shown is fantastic, but there are a number of things to be considered and Corsham Town Council would like to offer some suggestions that might avoid problems.

Council officers and Councillors have met to discuss the best steps to help support individuals affected by this emergency and will work with county and national government, local doctors, pharmacists and community groups to help with this.

Regularly updated information is available from these main sources the Government – www.gov.uk

Department of Health and Social care - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/depart...

Public Health England - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public...

NHS UK - https://www.nhs.uk

For social media users, the following Twitter accounts will be regularly posting the latest advice Department of Health and Social Care - @DHSCgovuk Public Health England - @PHE_UK NHS England - @NHSEngland

Wiltshire Council has prepared a helpful Covid-19 web page with useful advice at this link: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavi....

There are already groups and individuals in Corsham who are offering to provide support to vulnerable people and people who have had to self-isolate. We encourage such measures and suggest that support is best provided, where possible, by near-neighbours known to the person being supported.

It would be helpful if any groups and individuals giving support, or planning to do so, could let the Town Council know so as to avoid unnecessary duplication and other potential difficulties that may arise. Doing so would also mean that we will be able to advise isolated or vulnerable people who contact us of the nearest support group or individual.

Corsham is a great community and it’s heartening to see so many people stepping forward. Let’s work together to get through this situation and get to know our neighbours better.

Please note that the Town Council is taking its own measures to try to avoid spreading or contracting the virus. We have closed the Town Hall to the public for the time being so if you need to contact us please email, , or telephone 01249 702130. Alternatively, you can drop a letter through the letterbox on the north (phone box) side of the Town Hall.

We have also cancelled or postponed all face-to-face meetings and hall bookings for the time being. This includes the Corsham Celebrates/Annual Town Meeting event planned for 23 April.

Above all, please make sure you practice good hygiene, avoid unnecessary proximity to each other and keep an eye on your neighbours and vulnerable people to help keep our community as safe as we can.

Councillor Steve Abbott (Chairman) and David Martin (Chief Executive)

Allotment Advice

Here's the latest advice for allotment holders about visiting your plot:

https://www.nsalg.org.uk/news/covid19-information/?utm_source=Members&utm_campaign=0a46e036bf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_06_08_03_15_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_206970988f-0a46e036bf-323645929&mc_cid=0a46e036bf&mc_eid=cd9bed5614

Corsham Play Parks

In the interests of all our health and keeping in mind Government advice on the importance of social distancing at this time, Corsham Town Council has made the decision to close, with immediate effect, all its children’s play areas until further notice. This includes:

Springfield: Play Area, Parkour, Youth Shelter and Outdoor Gym

Dicketts Road Play Area

Meriton Avenue Play Area

Neston: Neston Play Area and Westwells Play Area

Gastard: Coppershell Play Area

All other Corsham Town Council managed general open spaces remain open for the time being.Thank you for your patience and understanding. Stay safe!

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Corsham in Bloom

Although we can't hold our usual Corsham in Bloom competitions this year, we have come up with a way we can still celebrate all that's blooming best about Corsham and its green-fingered residents. This year's Corsham in Bloom will have new categories, including Best Hanging Basket, Best Wildlife Garden and Best Miniature Garden, and the judging will be done based on photographs. We're still hoping that the annual Best Garden judging can go ahead in July but, just in case it can't, we're asking for pictures of your gardens that we'll use to short-list prior to judging, or use to choose the winners if we can't get out to judge. You can download the entry form, which has all the information you need, or give us a call on 01249 702130, and we'll put one in the post for you.

Fun Picture Puzzle Quiz

Can you identify Corsham’s great shops and businesses from a photograph?

Have a walk around town, whenever suits you, and try to work out which picture belongs where

Prizes to be won

Download the quiz and entry form

Or contact us via email - towncouncil@corsham.gov.uk

Or call us on 01249 702130 and we will post you a copy

Closing date is 31 July 2020 and the winner will be announced on 5 August 2020

StoryTown 2020 Writing Competition

StoryTown, our celebration of reading, writing and storytelling, is back from 16-18 October 2020 and to get us all in the mood, here's a writing competition for all ages. Write us a story, up to 500 words, that starts 'If only I could...' The deadline's 30 August, so there's plenty of time to start thinking. You'll find all the information you need on this 'If only I could..' information leaflet.