Sheldon Jottings for April 2015

Hopefully, we have seen the last of snow and the weather is beginning to improve as Spring is almost upon us. The snowdrops are still looking wonderful up here and the daffodils are beginning to bud up nicely. Many of us have helped to provide some food and water for the birds throughout Winter and they will now be thinking of nest building. The male chaffinches in particular are looking really smart.

With Easter comes Cream Teas – arrangements are well in hand – the Hall is looking superb after its refurbishment, people have volunteered to help and the scones, cream and jam are ordered. Don’t forget there is a sales table at each Cream Tea Day so we would be very grateful for any produce to sell in order to help swell the funds. The first Cream Tea Day is on Sunday April 5th from 2pm until 5pm in the Village Hall; we hope to see you there!

A new venture this year is a Table Top Sale to be held on Sunday April 26th in the Village Hall to raise funds, so hopefully we will all go along to give our support.

As we all know, Adrienne was taken to hospital recently and was quite poorly for a time but is now much better and is on her way to a full recovery. Both Adrienne and Elaine would like to thank everyone who sent her good wishes, cards and gave their support at a difficult time.

The Parish Meeting AGM takes place on Wednesday 8th April at 7.30pm. At this meeting we reflect on the progress we have made during the past year, receive reports from the Committees and look forward to the year to come. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our Chair, Alistair, for all his hard work and for steering us through the year.

Our local First Medical Responder, Tom Bailey, lives in Great Longstone and has written below, a summary of his valuable work. As we live so far from the hospital we may have our First Responder get to us before an ambulance can, so it is comforting to know we are not too disadvantaged living so far from Chesterfield.

Our emergencies have followed the usual pattern of mostly medical incidents but a fair amount have been trauma with a few road collisions, sporting and leisure injuries.

Several have been in Longstone, others in surrounding villages.

As some of you will have experienced the role of the MFR is not just to provide immediate care while waiting for an ambulance. Some patients may be assessed and referred to primary care, GP or out of hours services, minor injury units or to accident and emergency either under your own steam or by ambulance as required. Another function is to support ambulance crews and solo responders at incidents where extra hands are needed. The local team of 3 MFRs has been expanded recently to 4.

May I remind you to ensure your house names and numbers are clear and easily seen from the road as this will greatly speed up our response to you. If it is dark, put your front lights on, or the hazard lights on the car in your drive if it is safe and appropriate to do so. House names are hard to find so anything to help is greatly appreciated, as is informing our control room of any directions or landmarks to help identify where your property is.

A happy Easter to you all.

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Sunday April 5th – 2pm Village Hall
Cream Tea Day

Wednesday April 8th – 7.30pm Village Hall
Sheldon Parish Meeting AGM

Sunday April 26th – 10am Village Hall
Table Top Sale