National Trust update on car parks
and more...

Dear Hampton Society supporter,

Following Cheryl’s question about car parks reopening, the National Trust have made a statement this morning.

National Trust update on car parks

We know you’re as keen as us to get back outdoors and to all the Trust has to offer. We’re busy working out how to make it as easy as possible for you to visit your favourite places, and stay safe.

The Government announced some changes to the country’s lockdown position on Sunday and we’re working to see what this means for us. Keeping visitors, staff, volunteers and local communities safe as lockdown restrictions ease means we need to maintain social distancing, and so we will have to avoid creating hotspots and discourage gatherings. 

From Wednesday 13 May, we’ll start opening some car parks in England, so people can access fresh air, open space and nature. Car parks which are staffed and have facilities, will take longer. All car parks in Wales and Northern Ireland will remain closed. Members can park for free at our reopened car parks. We’re also finding that without our usual visitors, wildlife has moved into some car parks and open spaces, so we’ll be asking you to be on the lookout for unexpected fellow-guests in some places when you return.

Our cafés, shops, gardens and houses will follow in time, but only where and when it’s safe. We’ve missed you and we can’t wait to welcome you back. 

Tom North
Membership Director 

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Environment Agency: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Urgent update for boaters
May 2020: Guidance note 4

Following the Government announcement on 10 May about plans to relax some of the restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), we wanted to let you know how this affects our advice for Environment Agency navigations. Firstly, we are continuing to follow Government advice during this Coronavirus pandemic and our main priority remains protecting the health of our staff, customers and the general public.

The Government have clearly stated that it is far too early to make fundamental changes to the social distancing requirements in relation to the Coronavirus emergency. So at this stage, we want to reiterate that boaters should avoid all non-essential travel on our waterways for the next few weeks and to make journeys only to access essential services and facilities - this will help ensure safety of boaters and staff.

In light of the Prime Minister's announcement, lifting restrictions on spending time outdoors and allowing car travel to outdoor spaces irrespective of distance from Wednesday, boat owners can visit their boats from today (Wednesday 13 May 2020) to ensure they are well maintained, registered and ready for use once restrictions are lifted.

Alice Mayne
Deputy Director for Navigation and Commercial Development

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Cheap and easy swaps for hard-to-find baking ingredients such as flour, eggs, milk & more

e.g., fizzy water instead of eggs, oats instead of flour

by Rhiannon Moorhouse

The past several weeks have seen grocery shortages in many shops most won’t ever have seen, unless they’re old enough to remember rationing like my dad (hi Dad!). With most of us at home, baking is a popular way to pass the time, but with many struggling to pick up their usual key ingredients such as flour and eggs, there’s been renewed interest in wartime recipes, as well as vegan baking.

I might not be a professional baker, but it’s something I do often and enjoy. This is my 14th year vegan so I’ve a lot of experience with different ingredients, and baking is applied chemistry, which I’m qualified in (yes, really) – so I’m going to give you some tips and tricks on how to easily and cheaply substitute ingredients you may be struggling to find, so your baking won’t go bad.

I’ve checked prices at Tesco (as most people can access it), or Asda/Sainsbury’s if Tesco had no stock online. As you’ll see in the tables below, I’m showing you a range of alternatives where some are cheaper and some aren’t, as you may already have those ingredients knocking about and not need to buy them, you might discover something much cheaper, or want to choose an ingredient for another reason.

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Council tax is a serious pelican (big bill), yet many assume they get their bill and they have to pay it in full as a done deal. That's not correct. Ever since Martin launched his check & challenge system back in 2007, we’ve been campaigning and explaining the ways to slash your council tax bill. And with people struggling right now, it’s never been more important, so here’s the top 10. Of course, council tax only applies in England, Scotland and Wales; those in Northern Ireland are on a rates scheme.
 

1. Many councils are offering payment holidays to those struggling - but only if you ask. There's no one-size-fits-all rule, so we asked 20 councils. Only one said it would not offer a deferral, while of those that may do, it's still judged on a case-by-case basis and the deferral length varies, so there's no certainty. See council tax payment holidays.
    
2. On universal credit / benefits / low income? You may be able to get your bill reduced. Council tax reductions are long-standing discounts of up to 100% off bills for those on benefits or a low income. As this isn't backdateable, the sooner you do it, the sooner your bill will be reduced. The amount depends on your circumstances and the council, and on top of the discount, in England, you may also get £150 off your bill backed by a £500m Covid-19 hardship fund.
    
3. Up to 400,000 homes are in the wrong band - check and challenge to save £1,000s. If you're in England or Scotland, use Martin's council tax check & challenge system to see if you're in too high a band. If so, you can get it lowered and a backdated payout - we get success stories in regularly, from people saving £1,000s.
    
4. 100,000s missing out on the 'severe mental impairment' discount worth £1,000s. If someone has a diagnosed SMI, which includes some with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, strokes and more, they don't have to pay council tax if they live alone, and get 25% off if they live with one other grown-up. Plus some councils backdate it, leading to paybacks worth £1,000s. Sadly, this has been wildly underpublicised - but our severe mental impairment council tax discount guide will take you through it.
    
5. Those living alone (or with under-18s / live-in carers) can claim 25% off. You can claim this single person discount, and if it's been going on a while, you can backdate it.
    
6. Moved home since 1993? You may be owed £100s in council tax credits. Council tax is paid monthly (sometimes annually) in advance, so you're often in credit when you move, and you're entitled to that back. In 2019, we established that about £230m is unclaimed - see how to reclaim overpaid council tax.
    
7. Disabled or caring for someone with a disability? You could drop a council tax band. If you live in a larger property than you would need if you or another occupant were not disabled, eg, you have an extra room for treatment or space to use a wheelchair indoors, you may be able to drop a band.
    
8. In England? You can ask to pay over 12mths. Council tax is normally paid over 10, but ALL councils in Eng must allow residents to pay over the year, which helps to spread payments. See pay over 12mths.
    
9. On pension credit? You may be due a reduced bill. All those on the main element of pension credit are due a reduction, and some on the savings element are too. See pension credit council tax for full info.
    
10. Full-time students are disregarded for council tax purposes. So homes with just students living there don't pay. If there's a mix of students and non-students, the home gets a 25% discount. See students and council tax.

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Please forward these updates
to friends and family

...if you think they would benefit from the information contained. If they are not members and live locally, please ask them to consider joining and supporting The Hampton Society by completing an application form.

Kind regards,

William Redfern
Chair, The Hampton Society
enquiries@thehamptonsociety.org.uk
#StaySafeAtHome #StayHomeSaveLives

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