As you will know, Pett Village Hall is currently closed because of the Covid lockdown. The only activities allowed are the Monday and Friday Harold Road prescription service sessions and access for donations to and collections from the WI Foodbank. But despite being closed, we still have running costs of nearly £2,000 per month with no income from lettings.
But I am very pleased to say that Clare Walker, our Administrative Manager, with help from Richard Smith, our Treasurer, who provided the necessary financial data, has been successful in obtaining a Tier 4 and National Lockdown Grant from Rother District Council of £6,811 for the period 19 December 2020 – 15 February 2021.
Along with our relatively healthy financial reserves, the grant goes a long way to securing the financial future of the Hall.
The Village Hall Committee are determined to keep this community facility ready for all our customers once circumstances allow, and are really grateful to all those, especially Lu and Richard Cooke and Terry Cornish, who have continued to ensure the Hall is safe and in first class order when we can welcome everyone back to the Hall once again.
Incidentally, Pett Village Hall is due to feature on the Mid Morning Show on Radio Sussex and Surrey at about 10.00am this Friday, 29 January: the programme is running a piece about how village halls are coping with lockdown.
Best wishes and thanks as ever for your continued support.
Tim Rothwell
Chair, Pett Village Hall Management Committee
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Tim Rothwellhttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngTim Rothwell2021-01-28 11:06:392021-01-28 11:06:45Pett Village Hall - Update
It is not too late to complete this and send back.
If you have lost your postage paid envelope put it in a regular envelope and address it to
Pett and Guestling HNS
Action in Rural Sussex
Suites F7-F9
The Waterside Centre
North Street
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 2PE
unfortunately you will have to pay postage.
Should have lost the survey a copy is available here or email the parish clerk on for a paper copy. If you do download it and complete it you can email your copy back to
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Mary Philohttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngMary Philo2021-01-28 00:24:422021-01-28 00:25:18Pett and Guestling Housing Needs Survey
Please be aware that there is a reduced 101 bus service service at the moment – 2-hourly rather than hourly.
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Mary Philohttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngMary Philo2021-01-27 11:00:562021-01-26 23:08:05Reduced 101 Bus Service
Over the last few weeks, Rye Food Bank has had to rationalise their stock management and warehousing in order to comply with new safety precautions to ensure that all donations are quarantined for 3 days before distribution and also to reduce the amount that anyone handles.
Since we started our Appeal last July we had – until January – been making weekly deliveries not only from our collection boxes, but also from shopping for additional specific items bought out of financial donations.
Pett WI seems to have become one of the RFB’s largest regular donors, so we’ve been liaising regarding the best way we can help them within these new requirements. As a result, we’ve agreed that, whilst our collection boxes continue in the same way, the WICAID Team will no longer do any shopping.
Our routine has changed slightly in that only 2 of us now go over with our deliveries at a pre-agreed time slot – and, as the Food Bank Team can no longer help us unpack, we have to put all our donations into crates for them at the door ready to be weighed – and then take home all of our packaging.
I’m delighted to say, however, that none of this has impacted on us very greatly and we’ve been able to make deliveries each week through January.
At our December Pett WI Zoom meeting I reported that we’d sent 4,830 items to RFB since July last year.
Including the delivery made on Wednesday 20 January, this figure now stands at a terrific 6,368 – 732 of which have been taken this month – a remarkable result considering lock-down, the weather and some of our regular donors have now switched to financial donations!
Talking of which, we’re incredibly fortunate to continue to receive generous financial donations, not only through the Pett WI membership of course, but from our local communities too.
We were especially thrilled before Christmas to receive (completely out of the blue) a cheque for £500 from locals Kit and Janet McLean. This came from money raised through admission charges collected on the gate from cars entering their Elm Tree Boot Sale, all of which, I believe, they give to different local charities.
As a result of this, and other financial donations received to the end of December, we were able to send £1,255.26 to RFB this week.
The Food Bank Team continue to tell us how very much our donations are appreciated – and they’re constantly amazed at what we achieve for them.
From the latest information available our help still seems to be very much needed, as I understand that the numbers that they are helping continue to grow.
Early January figures were 78 adults and 94 children with deliveries to 25 households in Rye and surrounding villages – to people that can’t get to the food bank because of illness, disability or needing to care for others.
Apparently Rye Food Bank are distributing around 2 tonnes of food each week and the heavy work is considerable as they handle and move deliveries and donations. These are often large and heavy boxes of tins – so a call went out this month for additional fit and strong volunteers!
With limited storage space available, the Food Bank don’t always require all of the donations we receive, so the WICAID Team separates sanitary products, nappies, toiletries and a few other bits and pieces to pass on to the other organisations that we support. As a result, this month around 235 items were also delivered to Dom’s Food Mission who distribute to local hostels etc.
So, yet again, we’ve certainly proved that a little kindness goes a long way and I’d just like to take the opportunity to say a huge thanks, as always, not only to my wonderful WICAID Team colleagues, but also to everyone that has – and continues – to support this Appeal.
A reminder, if anyone needs assistance from the Food Bank to please make contact with Rother District Citizens Advice & Representation Centre (HARC) on 0333 3440681 or email and they will be happy to help.
If you would like to drop off a donation, our collection boxes are currently around Pett and Fairlight at:
Pett Village Hall (Lobby)
The Old Butcher’s Shop – Pett
1 Arthur’s Close, Pett Road, Pett
“Nanini Tal”, Cliff End Lane, Pett Level
Fairlight Post Office & Stores
Wakehams Farm Shop, Fairlight
The Barn, Shepherd’s Way, Fairlight
The Firehills Cottage, Channel Way, Fairlight
Alternatively, financial donations can either be made by cheque (made payable to Pett WI) and sent to Jane Sweaney at “Oakhurst”, Pett Road, Pett, TN35 4HG or made directly into the Pett WI Bank Account – Lloyds Bank – Sort Code: 30-98-97 – Account No: 70587368 – with the reference for both as “Food Bank” please.
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Mary Philohttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngMary Philo2021-01-26 22:32:212021-01-26 22:32:21Pett WI Community Aid (WICAID) Update from Hilary Dymott, Appeal Coordinator
Usually by now we would have published our annual programme but with last year’s having to be put on hold we are taking more of a relaxed attitude to our scheduling and will not be organising anything too far in advance! Despite this we have been very encouraged over the last few months by several new members joining us, despite the fact that we are unable to meet in person at this time.
Throughout 2021 our meetings will continue to take place the third Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm and when we are able to meet in person we do hope to be able to do so back at Pett village hall although of course we will be governed by regulations throughout. So for now we are back to holding our general monthly, and also social meetings, by Zoom which have been proving very popular by those who have been “attending”. However, in line with many other WIs around the country, the committee wishes the take-up was better so we will continue to offer tech-support for any member wanting to tip their toe into the wonderful world of online meetings and it is so heartening to see many of our more senior members doing just that.
Feedback on our Zoom meetings from members has been heartening –
Sharon “I really enjoy our WI Zoom meetings, it gives me a chance to see my friends’ faces and hear their voices during these very uncertain months. Zoom is very easy to master and it’s the best chance we have of a ‘normal’ meeting in these worrying times, so let’s keep doing it!”
Tracy” Having virtual WI meetings has made it so accessible for me. I joined the WI during lockdown so have never been to a ‘real’ get together, but every virtual event helps me learn more about my new friends in the village where I have lived for years. This has been a great opportunity for me to really feel ‘home, at home’. Everybody has been so welcoming and the speakers have been informative and fun. I have now met a few WI ladies in real life and look forward to joining in with more activities when it is safe to do so, but for now I shall immensely enjoy the fun and friendship virtually. I encourage anybody sitting on the fence to give it a whirl, what’s to lose? Thank you for welcoming me.”
This month our scheduled speaker was Jenny Gibbs – who in 1990 aged 50 travelled alone to Turkey and soon found herself living in an inland mountain village, where the villagers spoke no English and still lived a traditional way of life, and where Jenny still lives for part of each year to this day. Her talk traced her adventures from leaving her English home to her arrival in her mountain village and her discovery of a completely different and fascinating way of life.
Pett Women’s Institute Community Aid News!
We continue to be overawed by the level of support our continuing WICAID initiative is receiving to help Rye Foodbank. Led by coordinator Hilary Dymott the team including Wendy Burgess, Sharon Sellens, Trish Walker and Sally Watson are still able to organise your kind product and financial donations.
Particular thanks must go to Kit and Janet McLean for the wonderful £500 donation (representing entrance monies raised at the very popular Elm Tree Boot sales which are then donated to local charities – and do follow them on Facebook if you can at https://www.facebook.com/ElmTreeBootSale) Thank you Kit and Janet!
We are also grateful to many others who have donated monies to help us shop for the Foodbank on their behalf. Look out for the separate update on this initiative.
Join us!
Email us on if you would like a membership pack to join us this year. From 1 April the annual subscription is £44 – around £3.65 a month – for membership of a fabulously warm and welcoming group! We would love to have you join us – our current membership includes ladies from all the nearby villages and Rye, Hastings and St Leonards too.
Search for us on our social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and for more details about the WI visit thewi.org.uk
Belinda Wood
President, Pett WI
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Mary Philohttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngMary Philo2021-01-26 22:27:262021-01-26 22:27:26Pett Women’s Institute News- January 2021
Find out how to make sure that your cesspit, sceptic tank or small treatment works do not harm the environment by reading this leaflet available here.
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Mary Philohttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngMary Philo2021-01-26 12:06:012021-01-25 12:30:23Keep the Environment safe by looking after your septic tank and treatment works
Largest vaccination centre for Sussex to open on Monday 25 January – East Sussex NHS
A new vaccination centre will open at the Brighton Centre from Monday 25 January to provide additional capacity and options for people across Sussex to receive their vaccine.
People in the top four priority groups currently eligible to be vaccinated will be invited to get their vaccine at The Brighton Centre. They will book their appointment through a national booking system and will receive their vaccine by teams from Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, who are running the service.
The centre gives those who are eligible another option to receive their vaccine, in addition to their local GP-led vaccination service. While the centre is based in Brighton and Hove, it is available for the wider population across Sussex and beyond.
As more supplies of vaccine become available, large-scale vaccination centres are starting to open across the country, capable of quickly vaccinating large numbers of people.
Vaccination centres are not only much larger than GP-led local vaccination services, the way appointments are booked is also different. While GPs invite their patients to get vaccinated at their local vaccination service, appointments at the vaccination centres are made through the national booking service.
Appointments cannot be booked directly with the Brighton Centre, or through GPs, and residents are asked not to contact the centre or Brighton and Hove City Council directly.
The national NHS booking service will be writing to eligible people living within 60 miles of the Brighton Centre providing them all the details they need to book an appointment online or over the phone. At present the NHS is ensuring that the over 80s are vaccinated before extending invitations to the next priority age groups.
Anyone receiving a letter from the national booking service can choose whether to book an appointment at the vaccination centre, or wait until they are contacted by their GP for an appointment at their local vaccination service if that would be more convenient.
The centre will also be vaccinating eligible health and care workers. Health and care worker appointments are being organised for the first day of operation while processes are tested, with the public being invited to book from Tuesday.
The launch of the vaccination centre is the latest step in the ongoing phased roll-out of the Sussex vaccination programme. The NHS is Sussex is working to have vaccinated all over 80s and frontline health and care workers by mid-February and expects to have vaccinated in all care homes for older people by Sunday 24 January.
> For more information on vaccination centres, please see the FAQ and video below.
Three more local services go live this weekend
Further to the launch of the local vaccination service in Etchingham for people in rural Rother this weekend, clinics at each of the three GP practices in Hailsham start vaccinating this weekend. The teams at each of the GP practices will be vaccinating at their local care homes and providing the vaccine to their patients aged 80 and over. The go live of these services means that all GP practices in East Sussex have active GP led vaccination services.
How does it differ from a GP-led local vaccination service?
Vaccination centres are larger facilities with many more vaccinations taking place at once. They are located with good transport links and serve a much wider population. However, just like GP-led services, the vaccination centres are still focused on the same priority cohorts. At present that remains is the over 80s, with the over 70s and clinically extremely vulnerable to follow shortly.
Vaccination centres also differ from GP-led services in how appointments are arranged. While GPs invite their patients to get vaccinated at their local vaccination service, appointments at the vaccination centres are made through the national booking service.
How do I get an appointment at a vaccination centre?
The national NHS booking service will be writing to eligible people, living within 60 miles of a vaccination centre, inviting them to book an appointment at the centre online or over the phone. The letter contains all the details people will need to book their appointment.
What if I’d prefer to get my jab at my local GP-led vaccination service?
Anyone receiving a letter from the national booking service can choose whether to book an appointment at the vaccination centre, or wait until they are contacted by their GP for an appointment at their local vaccination service if that would be more convenient.
Who do I contact if I have any problems with my appointment?
Appointments for the Brighton Centre Vaccination Centre are organised by the NHS national booking service. They can be contacted free of charge on 119.
Where can I park for my appointment at the Brighton Centre?
People who attend a vaccination appointment at the centre can park for free in Churchill Square’s Orange Car Park for one hour. They must show proof of their appointment to the car park wardens in the car park as they enter.
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Mary Philohttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngMary Philo2021-01-25 12:45:342021-01-25 12:45:34Latest on Vaccinations in East Sussex - 25th January East Sussex NHS
Huge thanks go to Alan Butler and our electrician, Steve Marshall, who have both done a brilliant job. We now have a light and airy space with natural light plus overhead lighting and plenty of sockets and a phone/
broadband connection. It may be a while before you can see the space in person, so we will take more photos when it is kitted out This month, we have made an application to Heritage Lottery Fund, which has been closed for applications until recently. Once again, thanks to Tim Rothwell and the Pett Village Hall Management Committee, for supporting this project, it has been invaluable.
From our last update in the Pett Parish Magazine, we reaped the good fortune of being contacted by two more volunteers living in the village. They have all the expertise to assist us in the creation of the archive. Thank you John Case and Jenny Obee.
Following our recent Zoom meeting, John and Jenny are now in the process of researching the best software for the task, that is cost effective and future proof. Additionally, they have a wealth of experience in the fields of library m a n a g e m e n t , a r c h i v i n g a n d cataloguing. John and Jenny have also offered to help with the training of the volunteers, who will be assisting with the cataloguing process.
There is a tremendous enthusiasm in our team and we still need additional people to join us. We are also looking for help with our web site. That includes design and functionality to complement the whole archive project.
21st January 2021
(Thanks to Healthwatch East Sussex)
On Wednesday 19th January senior managers from Healthwatch East Sussex met with Joe Chadwick-Bell, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Steve Pheonix, Chair East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust Board.
The Trust continue to treat high numbers of COVID-19 positive patients across all sites, however they are hopeful of improvements on the horizon as community rates are slowly falling and the vaccination roll out programme is gathering pace.
On behalf of the Trust we were asked to share these important messages with local people:
1. If you absolutely need to come to hospital, please do so
2. If you are asked to come in, please do come in
3. If you have an appointment booked…please attend
4. We may ask you to go somewhere else for treatment, normally within Sussex, if so, we will discuss transport with you
It was reassuring to also hear, how well the system across Sussex is working together to get through this crisis, however a huge challenge for the Trust at the moment is staffing levels, especially at Eastbourne. All staff have been offered their first dose of vaccine, which is helping the Trust get through this truly horrible time. The vaccine hubs at Eastbourne and Conquest sites are working hard to provide local health and social care workers with the vaccine and the Trust are working across Sussex and with the local council to make sure that is done it a managed way.
We are also talking to Trust about some potential shared Volunteer Opportunities, building on our successful Hospital Discharge Well-being check service, where our volunteers followed up telephone interviews with almost 1800 patients from August to November; about how our experienced volunteers can continue to support the Hospital Discharge process by temporarily joining the Trust’s volunteer team. We aim to publish the hospital discharge project findings as soon as we can.
It is critically important that we at Healthwatch East Sussex continue to hear your experiences either as an inpatient, outpatient or as a carer; we are particularly interested in your experiences of the Hospital Discharge process and you can contact us about this or any other experience using the details below.
We appreciated the time taken by both Joe and Steve to meet with Healthwatch East Sussex during these very difficult times and expressed our thanks and gratitude to them and all the staff on behalf of East Sussex Residents.
https://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.png00Mary Philohttps://www.pettnet.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/logo-for-clicking.pngMary Philo2021-01-23 22:08:572021-01-21 22:56:40Message from NHS East Sussex Healthcare
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkRead more
