From Councillor Jane Croke - 

14 June Update

Hello Frimley,

As lockdown has started to ease, requests for help over the Borough have reduced dramatically so we are looking to draw down Surrey Heath Prepared on the 1st July. The telephone number will still be active for a while to direct residents to charities and support groups here in Surrey for us. The website will still give help and advice too. I will send a list of these to Clare and Canon Stuart so if any of you need specific help they will be able to advise the best route. If you prefer SHBC Community Services (Tel 01276 707100) or Citizens’ Advice Surrey Heath (CASH) (Tel 01276 417900) can help signpost.

Pharmacies have been our biggest activity here in Frimley, this is something that we need to try and hand over where possible, either the pharmacy will now pick up the delivery responsibility or, if they cannot or are charging a lot, then there are a large number of free national delivery services which are easy to set up including:

www.pharmacy2u.co.uk/
www.healthera.co.uk/
www.codapharmacy.co.uk
www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/info/prescription-delivery

The community spirit that has been built through Covid-19 here in Frimley has been incredible and I feel so proud and privileged to have had the pleasure of working with some amazing selfless people. There are around 35 of us who will remain as volunteers for Frimley and we are setting up a group called “Frimley Community Matters” so that we can help where we are needed. From re-planting our hanging baskets to litter picking to helping our neighbour – we will be here to do what we can when we can.

If you would like to join our new group, then please do drop me an email and I can get you on our list. We look forward to having a few projects that we can all work on and take pride again in the place we live.

sarahjcroke@outlook.com

Message from the Hope Hub Surrey Heath

The response from our supporters has been wonderful over the last few weeks - Thank You all. However we still need to keep our Clients safe and fed. Our stocks are beginning to run low and we could do with your help please.

We can arrange safe collection or welcome safe deliveries to our office. The Hope Hub is a registered charity. We need donations of food and in particular the following:

Fresh fruit - Apples, bananas and oranges

Crisps

Eggs

Biscuits & packaged cakes

Toilet rolls

Ladies’ shampoo

Shower gel

Cardboard boxes

Rice pudding (tinned or microwavable pots)

Jam

Marmalade

Soup (tinned or sachet)

Tinned meals - e.g. meatballs, chilli con carne, ravioli in tomato sauce, macaroni cheese, stewed meats etc.)

Pasta sauces

Cans of drink

Medium and large freezer bags to make portions of rice etc.

Foil or cardboard boxes with lids (medium and large) to be used to pack foods from bulk packs

Bottles of squash

Washing up liquid

Tinned ham

Corned Beef

Small bottles of water

If you can help at all, please contact Clare in the Parish Office on 07395 902962 or The Hope Hub direct on 01276 581174 or by email at admin@thehopehub.org.uk 

From Becky

How are you?”

During lockdown this question has met with more truthful answers. This makes me so happy because I genuinely want to know. If you’re having a bad day, I want to know if I can help and I love sharing your positive moments too. Over the last few weeks my answer can change minute by minute. I can be having a great day and then a family member will say something and I snap, feeling grumpy or got at. Or an email can upset or frustrate me. Equally, if I’m having an anxious day a video call with a friend can change my mood completely.

This week I’ve been working on resources to support our young people’s mental wellbeing through this pandemic and beyond, but the principles can apply to all of us. I found a graphic entitled ‘the emotions of cats’. How many of these cats have you felt like this week? Keep answering ‘how are you?’ honestly. it’s good for your mental health – honest!

With love. Becky x

Churchwardens Update

We have had to change our usual procedures during these times. Our excellent support team – Clare, Leola and Becky are working from home to run the Parish continue. We have embraced technology so Stuart, the Churchwardens, Clare and Leola meet online every week using the video conferencing app, Zoom. to ensure everything is in good order and agree any actions required.

Although all parish facilities are closed, but we are still maintaining the church and Halls so they will be in good order when we re-open them. Stuart takes a regular walk through the churchyard to check on it and jokes that when we come out of lockdown, we will need to be careful not to still shout at fellow walkers across the churchyard.

The team is contacting as many parishioners as we can through our call trees, with a particular focus on our vulnerable folk. Stuart is a designated key worker, and links to the Frimley Hub he is able to get out and about, to help where needed.

One of the heartening things is the volunteers stepping up to help across the Parish. We are catching up with all the new volunteering groups, having learned a new phrase the other day, “Scrub Hubs”. Lots of parishioners are knitting, sewing and stitching for the NHS, and others are supporting Frimley efforts to ensure the vulnerable are fed and looked after. All your efforts are much appreciated, and you get a hearty thank you from all of us for your noble efforts.

Guildford Diocese has been in touch with all parishes regarding concerns on the impact that the pandemic is having on parish finances. We are in better shape than most, but we must look for new ways to fund raise through this period. Please watch the website, which  is updated on a daily basis.

With VE Day approaching, it will be a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by many people in the Second World War and the many other conflicts our armed services have fought to keep our way of life secure. They carry our grateful thanks for their service and dedication. They are engaged today, working alongside the NHS, Health workers, Law enforcement, local council service workers and all key workers helping our country fight Covid 19. We hope you will be able to join the national toast to these heroes at 3pm on Friday.

Hopefully this gives you a flavour of what we have been doing in lockdown. We trust that you all stay safe and well and we look forward to the day when can all get back together as a parish.

Kind regards, 
Terri Ferro and Paul Fray 

From Clare Peel

How many of you have seen the satellite link this week? My brother-in-law, Rob, messaged me on Sunday evening to tell me to go and look at the sky from my garden. He was camping out in his tent in his garden and wanted to share his view.

Unfortunately Lottie and I weren’t quick enough and missed it but for those in the know there was a string of satellites in the sky. We have tried a couple more times since the first night but have not been lucky enough to see more than 2 satellites at a time.

My week is made up of Zoom meetings, parish work, calls to parishioners and I have also done a bit of baking for Whitebourne Care Home.

The most exciting news this week is that I managed to get hold of the Frimley Park Hospital Scrub Hub, and I am pleased to announce that I am now part of the small Parish Team (4 of us at the moment) who will be cutting out and sewing scrubs for FPH Trust. I have already had donations of material so have more than enough to keep us all going for now. If you would like to be involved in this please let me know as many hands make light work.

Don’t forget we would love to hear what you have been up to so please share your stories with us and drop us a line.

ccccccccccccc

Another week has gone by. Do you too struggle to remember what day of the week it is?

One young resident, 10 year old Jessica, decided to bake items to sell for Frimley Health Charity. She set out Cupcakes, Rocky Road, Loom Bands and much more on a trestle table in her front garden with an honesty box. Residents on their daily walk were met with a beaming smile and a heart warming thank you from Jessica.  She hoped to raise around £100.00 and smashed that by raising £280.00! She is now working towards VE Day to raise funds for Surrey Heath Prepared Volunteer Group.

Two more young residents – Rian aged 5 and Amari aged 8 – decided to use their pocket money to buy treats for the workers at Frimley Park Hospital. They made up packs to be delivered this week.  Hand cream, lip balm, Vaseline, sleep masks are just a few of the items included.  What a lovely gift to receive!

Frimley Prepared has had another busy week and we have managed to get two very vulnerable residents onto meals on wheels and regular phone calls to help their isolation.  We are facing new challenges and as always, my amazing volunteers are there to help in any way they can. THANK YOU….

30 April Update

What has happened to our glorious weather? The one thing that was certainly keeping me going in this strange time was the sun and blue sky!

A thank you goes out this week to “Clare Peel” for the lovely cakes that she managed to organise for Whitebourne Care Home. Please, if there are any bakers out there that would like to make a cake, biscuits, scones, flapjack…whatever you fancy, the staff at the care home would really appreciate it.  I can get them picked up from you and delivered straight to their door.  I am also currently in the process of getting some more PPE to them.

I went along to Frimley Park Hospital last Thursday night at 8pm to clap and just to say “thank you” to all the hospital staff, it was great to be there and just be a part of it for 5 minutes, and the fact that straight after they are all back to it and just carry on.

Surrey Heath Borough Council lowered its flag outside Surrey Heath House on Tuesday 28^th April as a mark of respect and held a 1 minute’s silence to all the amazing key workers who have lost their lives to COVID-19.  We will be holding a memorial service on the lawn outside Surrey Heath House as soon as we are able to have small gatherings, it is so important to bring the community together to remember these selfless residents for giving their lives to keep us save and well.  I will let you all know when this will happen.

Also, as part of the Council's new COVID-19 Emergency Charity Grant Scheme, more than £30,000 has been awarded to local charities in the first round of grants. Applications still open to eligible organisations, find out more here: https://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/covid-19-emergency-charity-grant-scheme

23 April

Hello all - I hope you are all staying safe and well. Another busy week with us here at Frimley Prepared (part of Surrey Heath Prepared) Another 35 requests filled so far…

Two lovely bits of news to share with you,

I was contacted by a family in Germany to see if we could help their Mum who is a Frimley resident. She had a fall at home and was taken into Frimley Park Hospital and forgot to take her mobile phone with her. She has since tested positive for COVID-19 and they had only managed a brief conversation with the nurse on the ward. You can imagine how concerned both sides were feeling, and this is where we managed to help.  The family ordered a pre-paid mobile which was delivered to me, I charged and set it all up for her and delivered it to the hospital.  An amazing feeling to be able to unite people in these crazy times

And number two…We have been helping a lady called Patricia who has been self-isolating for over 5 weeks. Help with food shopping, gardening, and friendly phone calls it has been a lifeline for her. Patricia rang in yesterday with her thanks to our volunteers. 

So hard knowing people are ofeeling so isolated and just the little things like a phone call are making all the difference to their day. (FB Page https://www.facebook.com/Crokefrimley or just type in Cllr Sarah Jane Croke)

So please reach out and we can help…Surrey Heath Prepared 01276 66798

Cllr Sarah Jane Croke

16 April

 “Frimley Prepared” (part of Surrey Heath Prepared) have now handled 105 separate requests since starting on the 23rd March. The new total for the volunteers signed up to help us is 231. Total requests for help across the Borough have totalled 1,502 so far. If you would like to volunteer in Frimley, or need help, ring the Surrey Heath Prepared helpline 01276 66798 

To donate to support, https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/surreyheath-prepared

As the weeks pass, we receive more and more requests from families that are struggling due to being laid off, or no work due to being self-employed.  If you know anyone that needs support with council tax, bills, rent etc. do tell them to contact Surrey Heath Borough Council by emailing contact.centre@surreyheath.gov.uk or call 01276 707100 in office hours.

Local businesses need help should email SHBC’s Economic & Development Team on economic.development@surreyheath.gov.uk

Lastly a BIG shout out and thank you to all my “Frimley Prepared Volunteers” helping me to look after our Frimley residents. I could not do this without you,

Cllr Sarah Jane Croke

From John and Tessa

Apart from doing the magazine, John has been busy developing his own mathematical model to determine the progress of Covid19. For what it is worth, his most optimistic estimate is that the number of new cases will peak just after 22nd April. For relaxation he has been listening to Haydn, the composer above all others, who makes one think it is good to be alive. He has about 25 of the 104 symphonies, and he is about half way through them. Each Saturday John’s rowing club organise a quiz, which we take part in via google hangouts.

Monty is benefiting from having more runs, and we love the walks. Tessa is missing her handbell group, and playing short sets on the glockenspiel. She is joining in with Morning Prayer on Skype when Jean calls, and spending more time working in the garden. To her, the better weather is like an extra room in the house! She has heard from her brother in the Seychelles, where they began a lockdown last Wednesday. Even small islands in the middle of the ocean are not insulated from the rest of the world.

Thoughts on Lockdown from Jean

Now into the fourth week and it’s beginning to feel familiar. So many phone calls, emails, Skype and Zoom connections – how lucky we are to have all these points of communication to make it all more bearable. The weather has been on our side, too, and the abundance of colour in the gardens as I do my daily walk is an absolute joy. Time seems to have taken on a new meaning. I get up a little later, take longer reading the newspaper, do a few jobs then have a cup of coffee and start the crossword. I probably watch more television that I normally do and sometimes just sit in the garden and enjoy the birdsong – as long as the friendly robin doesn’t come too close! (Those who know me will know that I have a phobia of birds and can’t cope with them near me).

The online church services are inspirational and Stuart’s daily Blogs give much cause for reflection and encourage me to take longer over my Bible study than perhaps I have sometimes done in the past. Our prayer chain has been kept busy with requests for those in need and our hearts go out to our friends who are suffering because of the virus, but also to those who have unconnected problems or who have lost loved ones for other reasons and are unable to have a “normal” funeral. We do, however, also give thanks to God when we hear that people are recovering or are at peace after a long illness. We also thank him for all the goodwill which is around and how caring neighbours and friends are and keen to help with shopping and medicine deliveries.

I do believe it has brought our communities closer together and made us realise just how inter-dependent we all are. I look forward to attending services again, having coffee with friends at Open Church and catching up with everyone. Can you imagine how many tales we will be telling each other in answer to “what did you do in the Lockdown?”.

Message from Ann and Keith.

Well, that was a "very different" Easter according to the phone calls, texts, and emails I have received over the last week. It was indeed, for a number of reasons. We have al-ways traditionally spent Easter Day in Poole as a family .... in fact over the last thirty-five years at least we have only missed going once or maybe twice prior to this year ! When our children were young we would be there for the school holidays and a very good friend would bring my mother down for the day. As the years went by, mum passed away and sons-in-law and grandchildren came along but we still all met up in Poole for Easter Day, the only other day we are all together apart from Christmas Day. We would be staying there and the family would come to us, or for quite a few years they would be staying there and I would attend the GU16 sunrise service on Frimley Green Hill and then we would travel down to spend the day with them.

This year was indeed different, no-one was allowed to travel, holiday homes remained shut and sad as it was that we didn't see family at all apart from on FaceTime it was far more peaceful, less polluting for the atmosphere than having three cars travelling at different times over those few days on more than overcrowded roads and more time to reflect on the Easter story. So, we didn't get the after lunch walk to the beach and back, we didn't have to join in the children's games but there was more time to connect with friends living alone and struggling with the loneliness. For me personally there was less driving to do and far less baking and time to spend in the garden appreciating the colour, the new growth and the birdsong.