Welcome
This website aims to become a source of information for both the local community and those planning to visit or actually visiting this fantastic part of Dorset. We really need the local community to become involved by sending us news of forthcoming events, reports on recent events and photographs. The website has been designed to be interactive by allowing you to use the Contact Us page to send us some news, feedback or to ask a question. The editor of the website will respond to the messages you leave or add your information. There is also an opportunity for you to join our e-mailing list through the contact us section. If you do so we will email you a copy of the Parish Council minutes together with any other information that we feel may be of interest. A very important section of this website is devoted to the development of the Neighbourhood Plan (Y&RINP) (NB: the Parish Plan has moved to the Parish Council pages) and is where information relating to this can be viewed. The Village Notice Board, gives information on notifications that the Parish Council has received and details of activities likely to affect the parish and there is also a link to the Village Facebook Page. Details of Road Closure Notices are also available on the Village Notice board.
CORONAVIRUS (COVOID-19)
PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF SOCIAL DISTANCING
This short video shows the principles of social distancing
NEW RULES ON STAYING AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHERS
The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS. The government has published staying safe outside your home for guidance on what the new rules will mean. These will take effect on Wednesday 13th May 2020. This page sets out key FAQ to inform the public and help you prepare for these changes. This guidance applies in England – people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.
Public spaces / outdoor activities / exercise
There will be a limited number of things you can do on Wednesday that you cannot do now:
• spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing
• meet one other person from a different household outdoors – following social distancing guidelines
• exercise outdoors as often as you wish – following social distancing guidelines
• use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of your household, or one other person while staying 2 metres apart
• go to a garden centre
At all times, you should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, including ensuring you are 2 metres away from anyone outside your household. As with before, you cannot:
• visit friends and family in their homes
• exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool
• use an outdoor gym or playground
• visit a private or ticketed attraction
• gather in a group of more than two (excluding members of your own household), except for a few specific exceptions set out in law (for work, funerals, house moves, supporting the vulnerable, in emergencies and to fulfil legal obligations)
If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home – this is critical to staying safe and saving lives.
I don’t have to stay at home anymore?
You should stay at home as much as possible. The reasons you may leave home include:
• for work, where you cannot work from home
• going to shops that are permitted to be open – to get things like food and medicine
• to exercise or spend time outdoors
• any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid injury or illness, escape risk of harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
These reasons are exceptions and a fuller list is set out in the regulations. Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent away from the home and ensuring that you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
Can I meet my friends and family in the park?
You can meet one other person from outside your household if you are outdoors. Public gatherings of more than 2 people from different households are prohibited in law. There are no limits on gatherings in the park with members of your household.
Are there restrictions on how far I can travel for my exercise or outdoor activity?
You can travel to outdoor open space irrespective of distance. You shouldn’t travel with someone from outside your household unless you can practise social distancing – for example by cycling. Leaving your home – the place you live – to stay at another home is not allowed.
Going to work / Safer spaces
In the first instance, employers should make every effort to support working from home, including by providing suitable IT and equipment as they have been already. This will apply to many different types of businesses, particularly those who typically would have worked in offices or online.
Where work can only be done in the workplace, we have set out tailored guidelines for employers to help protect their workforce and customers from coronavirus while still continuing to trade or getting their business back up and running. We will be publishing even more detailed COVID-19 secure guidelines in the coming days, which has been developed in consultation with businesses and trades unions.
These ‘back to work’ guidelines apply to those in essential retail like:
• supermarkets
• those in construction and manufacturing
• those working in labs and research facilities
• those administering takeaways and deliveries at restaurants and cafes
• tradesmen, cleaners and others who work in people’s homes
• those who are facilitating trade or transport goods
• and so on
Non-essential retail, restaurants, pubs, bars, gyms and leisure centres will remain closed. They will reopen in a phased manner provided it is safe to do so.
There are specific guidelines for those who are vulnerable, shielding, or showing symptoms.
Face coverings
If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas, for example, on public transport or in some shops.
Evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you. However, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with.
Face coverings do not replace social distancing. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough and/or high temperature), you and your household must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this.
A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.
Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions.
It is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off.
You can make face-coverings at home. The key thing is it should cover the mouth and nose.
More detailed advice is also available on the separate dedicated Coronavirus page and by using the links below
SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY
HELP FOR THE VULNERABLE
If you are vulnerable and have no friends, family or neighbours to support you, or if you are worried about someone in this situation, contact yetvirushelp@gmail.com / 07563 883327 / 01935 609453 and volunteers will try and find someone in the community who can help.
GOOD NEIGHBOURS
Advice and guidance on how you can help and support your neighbours is available on the separate Coronavirus page.
Advice from the UK Government can be accessed by clicking here
Advice is available on the Yetminster Health Centre website which can be accessed by clicking here
Advice from Dorset Council (includes disposal of contaminated tissues) can be accessed by clicking here
NEW CORONAVIRUS HELP LINE FOR PARTENTS & CARERS
Dorset Council have set-up the helpline to support those who are worried about their child or teenager during the lockdown.
If you are concerned about how your child is managing and you need someone to talk to, please ring them.
Their educational psychologists are available to help you. They will listen to your concerns and can offer practical advice and guidance.
The helpline number is: 01305 228300. It is open from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.45pm. Callers need to ring and make an appointment for a 30 minute phone consultation.
Find out more by clicking here
BORED WITH BEING AT HOME?
DIGITAL LIBRARY SERVICE
With the ongoing requirement for social distancing take advantage of the free digital services Dorset Libraries offer! Access free Dorset library e-magazines, e-newspapers, e-books, e-audio, e-comics and e-reference from the comfort of your own kitchen table or sofa, or bed by clicking here
INTRODUCING THE VIRTUAL VILLAGE HALL
This is a new and exciting initiative, Virtual Village Hall, an online space filled with activities designed for people at home in lockdown, to combat feelings of isolation and boredom. Activities are led by expert tutors and some well-known faces, and the initiative is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Activities include gentle exercise, arts and crafts, cooking and baking, technology skills and quizzes with beatboxing, laughter yoga and Zumba Gold too. Sessions are available seven days a week with both live and pre-recorded activities to join in with. The programme will run as long as people are in lockdown in their homes.
Some of the wonderful up and coming sessions include:
• How to make a ruffle tote bag
• Seated Yoga
• Move It Or Lose It Chair Based Exercises
• Embroidery
• Poetry
• Laughter Yoga
• Qi Gong and Mindfulness
• Watercolours
• Salsa
You can access the Virtual Village Hall by clicking here and all sessions of the Village Hall are available by clicking here.
EMERGENCIES – contact phone numbers of emergency services and utilities can be accessed by clicking here or from the Village Notice Board page.
SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS – See Notifications on the Village Notice Board
NOTICES –
Suspension of the Parish Council public meetings
Due to the present difficulties that Parish Council has been instructed to suspend its public meetings until further notice. However, we have received advice that we can undertake “virtual” meetings and we are investigating the best way to arrange these. We are also advised that the Statutory Annual PC Meeting and the separate Annual Village Meeting should be cancelled for the 2020 PC cycle and rescheduled for the following Council year.
The proposed Yetminster Village Clean on the 18th April has been cancelled and will, hopefully be able to be rescheduled.
Closure of the Hamcrate Play Area, Tennis Courts, Croquet Lawn and Club House
In accordance with the Government’s instructions the Hamcrate Play Area, Tennis Courts, Croquet Lawn and Club House are closed until further notice. Pedestrian access to the Hamcrate Playing Field will continue, although anybody using the space must adhere to the Government’s instructions relating to social contact and keep at least 2 metres distance from other people.
Household recycling centres will re-open for waste that poses a risk of injury, health or harm
Nine of our 10 household recycling centres (HRCs, or ‘the tip’) are set to open on Monday 11 May – click here to find out more
Be aware that householders should only take waste to a HRC if it cannot be stored safely at home and no alternative disposal options are available.
There will be restrictions on site, and additional security staff will help to enforce these, plus traffic management measures. All usual waste types will be accepted, although re-use areas will remain closed.
Visitors should also expect long queues to access HRCs due to social distancing measures limiting the amount of people we can have on site at any one time.
Garden Waste Service Resumes
Garden Waste collections will be resuming collections from Monday 27 April. Customers should put their bins out on their usual collection day. New subscriptions are still suspended.
Help Your Collection crew
With people staying at home, there has been an increase in rubbish and recycling at the kerbside. At a time when our workforce is stretched, this can be challenging.
Please note the following ways you can help our front-line waste workers: –
• Make sure your bins are out by 6am on your collection day
• Please continue to put the right stuff in the right bin
• Switch to products with less packaging, such as from glass bottles to cans
• Do not fill any recycling box or bin higher than the top of the box/bin itself
• If you have excess recycling (especially glass), please place it out for collection in a sturdy container that can be easily lifted by one person without the contents spilling or falling out. Do not use plastic bags
• Park considerately, allowing for our vehicles to access your street.
New kerbside bin collection arrangements
With the need to introduce new safety measures residents are asked to help by changing the way litter bins, litter and recycling are dealt with. You do not need to do anything differently on your collection day. Please put the appropriate bins out as you usually would, but note the following: –
• We will no longer return to empty any missed bins until your next regular collection day. If your bins are missed, please bring them back in. Store your waste safely and put it out on your next appropriate collection day
• We will pick up extra black bin rubbish only if your previous rubbish collection was missed. We will continue to pick up food waste weekly. You can also put out extra recycling provided it is separated correctly
• Do not try to report missed collections to us. Visit the service disruption pages online to check if you are in an affected area
• Remember to crush and flatten items (not glass) before throwing away, as this will help create space in your bins and our collection vehicles. Put your glass box out when it is full
• Please continue to observe public health guidance on handling your waste. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, please double bag your waste and store for 72 hours before placing in your bin or blue sack.
• Wash your hands both before putting your bins out and after taking them back in
• We recommend rinsing dirty rubbish and recycling items before placing in bins to reduce unpleasant odours.
As we have had to redeploy employees to higher-priority services, our street-cleansing, household recycling centres and recycling banks in car parks have also been suspended. Therefore: –
• If you go out to exercise, take your litter home with you, especially dog waste. Street and dog bins are not being emptied on a regular basis. NEVER place household waste in a street litter bin
• Do not travel to a household recycling centre (HRC, or ‘the tip’) or any recycling bank in a car park as these are all now closed and are no longer being serviced. Any items left at these sites will not be cleared away and will be considered as fly-tipping.
The Sports Club
After a fantastic re-opening event on Saturday 29th February we are now closed for the foreseeable future. Watch this space for details of a village party when we can all celebrate the end of social distancing.
Go to the clubs and societies page for further details of forthcoming events . https://yetminsterparishes.gov.uk/community/sports-club/
Contact the new team at ycsc@btinternet.com
75th Anniversary of VE Day –
8th May
With members of the public no longer able to attend VE Day 75 events, the British Legion is calling on the nation to get involved from home throughout the day and pay tribute to the entire Second World War generation from British, Commonwealth and Allied Forces, to evacuees and those who served on the home front.
Activities include a VE Day 75 livestream, national moments of Remembrance and thanksgiving, and activity packs for individuals and families.
At 11am the Legion is encouraging people across all generations and communities to take part in a national moment of Remembrance and pause for a Two Minute Silence to honour the service and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, and also take the opportunity to reflect on the devastating impact Covid-19 has had on so many lives across the world.
Following the Silence, the Legion is hosting a VE Day 75 livestream from 11.15am on the Legion’s website, sharing stories and memories from those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War, and recognising the difficulties people are experiencing today.
Later in the day the Legion has partnered with the BBC to honour and celebrate the Second World War generation with an evening of memories and music from 8pm on BBC One. Members of the public are invited to enjoy a moment of celebration and thanksgiving during the programme by taking part in a UK-wide rendition of Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’ at 9pm.
Alongside these events on 8th May, The Royal British Legion has developed a VE Day learning pack which is available online. Designed for 7-14 year olds the pack includes first-hand accounts from the Second World War generation, veteran interviews and range of activities to allow families to explore and commemorate VE Day together.
Members of the public can access the activities at www.rbl.org.uk/veday75 and on social media using #VEDay75 and #VEDay75Live during the livestream.
Parish Councillor Vacancies
Please contact the Clerk if you are interested in becoming a Councillor and to see if we have a vacancy. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month and Councillors also sit on at least one sub-committee.
Community Speed Watch
The Speed Watch team have been very effective in encouraging motorists to drive more considerately through the village. However, a lack of volunteers is limiting the number of patrols that can be made. Please use the contact form if you would be interested in joining the team.
Website
We endeavour to keep the website up to date and relevant to the community. Please use the contact us page to provide your feedback on any changes that you feel are needed and to update information on your clubs, activities and events in the Parish.
WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
You can click here to view all events on the Wriggle Valley Magazine’s Diary Pages
You can view a list of regular meetings and events by clicking here
SITE INDEX – click here to view index
RECENTLY UPDATED PAGES
12 May – Coronavirus advice updated as per Government Guidelines
8 May – Virtual Village Hall info added to Coronavirus pages, info on re-cycling centres added
7 May – YRIPC Minute Pages updated
25 April – Dorset Waste Info updated, Coronavirus News Page added, info on DC Libraries digital services added
28 March – Further Coronavirus updates added
21 March – Notice of Suspension of PC meetings added
19 March – Advice and links re Coronavirus added
18 March – Club cancellations added
17 March – Changes re the Methodist Church added
3 March – Reports & Papers added to Agenda pages
9 February – Details of Dogs Survey & action re Dog Fouling added
9 February – History Society pages & Travel Info pages updated
24 January – About us page updated re reference to bus service
23 January – New information on the Yetminster Community Sport Club
18 January – Flooding information updated
7 December – Hot Weather Advice removed
5 December – Sports Club Tender Invitation added
17 September – Helping Hands Page added to Community
4 September – Update to Sports Club page