Minstead eNewsletter 6th December
🎄COMING UP THIS MONTH🎄
Sunday 19th, 4pm – Carol Service
Christmas Eve - 4pm – Christmas Crib Service
- 11pm – “Midnight” Communion
Christmas Day - 10.30am – The Great Unrehearsed Nativity
Full list of services below
Christ Church Emery Down 19th December - 3pm Outdoor Carol Service in the Churchyard
For the latest visit https://minstead.org.uk/
and
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Change to coronavirus restrictions
As a response to a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, being identified, the government has introduced some coronavirus restrictions in England.
- Face coverings are now compulsory on public transport and in shops.
- All international arrivals entering England must take a PCR or LFD test before they travel and upon arrival a day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
- All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
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To find out more Click HERE
Keep the New Forest safe
If you’re going to a busy place, perhaps Christmas shopping or an event, the government are now advising you take a lateral flow test for coronavirus before you go.
It is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated.
Lateral flow tests, sometimes called rapid lateral flow tests, can be collected from many local pharmacies or ordered online.
Find where to get lateral flow test kits - Click HERE
You can also order test kits online - Click HERE
Other actions to take to stay safe and reduce the chances of the virus spreading:
- Self-isolate
If you have symptoms or a positive test result you should stay at home and self-isolate immediately. - for more information Click HERE
- Get tested
Arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible if you have symptoms, even if you’ve had one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine - Click HERE
- Let fresh air in
Meet outdoors, and open windows to ventilate indoor spaces. When a person infected with COVID-19 coughs, talks or breathes, they release droplets and aerosols which can be breathed in by another person. For more information Click HERE
- Get vaccinated
Remember to get your second, and third booster, vaccination (if you are eligible for one ) - Click HERE
- Wear a face covering
Wearing a face covering in enclosed and crowded indoor places is important as COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets that are exhaled from the nose and mouth.
- Wash your hands
Regular hand washing is an effective way to reduce your risk of catching illnesses, including COVID-19. Wash your hands with soap and water often and for more than 20 seconds.
- Use the NHS COVID-19 app
Using the NHS COVID-19 app helps stop the spread of the virus by informing you that you have been in close contact with someone who has since tested positive for COVID-19, even if you do not know each other. You can also use it to check in to venues with an NHS QR code and receive advice if there has been an outbreak. The app is free and easy to use - Click HERE
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2022 Parking Clocks on Sale
Parking clocks (season tickets) are now on sale .
Order before 17 December to make sure you receive yours before 1 January, ready to use in 2022. Click HERE
Free Parking Days
There will be free parking in town and village centre car parks in December to encourage residents to continue to shop locally in the approach to Christmas. The dates are:
Saturday 18 December
Sunday 19 December
An additional day in December chosen by town and parish councils – check locally to find out the date |
To see a list of town and village car parks on the NFDC website Click HERE
Grants to tackle climate and nature emergency
The New Forest National Park Authority is inviting green groups to apply for grants to help fund sustainable living projects in the National Park.
Grants of up to £2,000 are available from the Sustainable Communities Fund (SCF) for projects which:
- improve wildlife and habitats
- reduce carbon emissions, or
- connect new groups of people to nature
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Schools, youth groups, and other organised community groups and charities that are either based within the New Forest National Park or include people who live within the boundary can apply.
Learn more Click HERE
ALL SAINTS CHURCH
Services and news for December and Christmas:
Sunday 5th, 11am - Holy Communion
Sunday 12th, 6pm - Evensong.
Sunday 19th, 4pm – Carol Service for all the family.
Friday 24th, 4pm – Christmas Crib Service for all the family.
11pm – “Midnight” Communion to begin Christmas.
Saturday 25th, 10.30am – The Great Unrehearsed Nativity. Everyone welcome to help celebrate Jesus’ Birth Day. Informal and fun!
Sunday 26th at Emery Down, 10am – Benefice Celebration of St Stephen’s Day.
All Saints’ church is open daily from 8am until around 4pm.
SOCIAL
OPEN DOOR CAFE in church. Thursday December 16th, 2 till 4. All welcome. Our local PCSO Richard Williams aims to visit, so if you have any concerns to share with your local police officer, do come along.
NOVEMBER CONCERT IN CHURCH
Merheen Shah (Soprano). Merheen sang beautifully as well as offering us background information on her choices of music. She and her accompanist gave us a very entertaining and cultured evening.
CHRISTMAS TIME
DECORATIONS AND TREE - the church will be decorated in time for the Carol Service on December 19th. The Christmas Tree will be ready in time too. You’re welcome to pop in and take a look whenever the church is open.
LYCHGATE ROUNDELS – we started this initiative to allow people to remember loved ones when the church was shut during lockdown. The idea has proved so popular that we have continued it even though the church is now open. You can still visit the Lychgate to write names and thoughts on a wooden roundel and hang them there as a prayer. As last year, we do hope to put up Christmas lights on the lychgate. See our Facebook page for updates!
GIANT CHRISTMAS CARD. An easy way of greeting your local friends. Write a small card (provided) and pin it to our giant card (in church). Donate the money you have saved to the Mission Hospital in Mukinge, Kasempa, Zambia. Details in church with the card. More info on this weblink HERE
For more information on the Benefice website Click HERE
Get in touch via the website or by ringing 023 8028 3175
Facebook page: “All Saints’ Church, Minstead.” As well as “Church of England in Lyndhurst, Emery Down and Minstead”.
The Community Shop Committee and Volunteers wish you all a very Happy Christmas!
Why not come along and spoil yourself, friends and families with some of our locally made seasonal goodies?
Christmas puddings and Cakes
Cheeses and Pates
Savoury and sweet snacks
Chocolates
Gifts (knitwear, pottery, toiletries and much more)
Jams and preserves
Minstead Trust Charity Christmas Cards
and of course our famous Christmas Hot Chocolate special
Acres Down Farm Shop
Still taking Christmas Orders till Saturday 11th December 2021
Check out the website for more details and order forms Click HERE
Flower Show AGM notice
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Accessing GP services
Healthwatch Hampshire have just launched a survey asking the public to share their experiences of accessing GP (General Practice) services in the last 6 months in Hampshire. They want to hear as many experiences of accessing GP services as possible so they can help the NHS understand what is working well and what could be better. The results of this survey will be shared with NHS Services and organisations to help to shape the way services are delivered in the future. To read more about the survey and the wider project Click HERE
CAROLS ON THE GREEN AND FATHER CHRISTMAS'S VISIT TO MINSTEAD
With great regret this event has had to be cancelled again this year due to the high Covid rates and the potential risks of such an event.
If you know of a neighbour who doesn't have access to this newsletter and would be interested to know what is going on please run a copy off for them
THE PARISH COUNCIL WISHES EVERYONE A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS
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