Tag Archives: COVID-19

2020 – What a Year it’s Been!

Covid-19. Perhaps enough said! But …

• It was lovely to see so many join in the Clap for NHS and to see how neighbours have looked out for each other throughout.

• Thanks to the residents who have been supporting our local pharmacy deliver medicines to the housebound.

Litter picking

• One resident was spotted litter-picking on his own in Purbeck Drive one early morning during the first lockdown. How kind!

• Thank you to residents of The Vale who have organised litter pick-ups in the green space there.

• We hope we can organise another estate-wide litter pick-up in due course.

We continue to campaign for Donoghue’s to relocate. On a related note, we were able to help coordinate some strong opposition to the proposed concrete batching facility in Cricklewood.

It was lovely to see in the spring the results of the earlier wildflower bulb-planting activity.

The Memories Group has been meeting weekly via Zoom every Wednesday 5:00–6:00 pm since April. It has become more of a support group to its members during these peculiar times. It welcomes all residents and those with a connection to our area. It is now on Christmas break but weekly meetings will resume on Wednesday 13th January. If you would like to join any of its meetings just email memories@ggera.org.uk.

After some months of cajoling, the vandalized cash machine in Pennine Drive has at long last been removed.

We do thank Barnet Council for installing the CCTV camera in Pennine Lane, behind the shops. Please email PC Singh at amric.singh@met.police.uk if you witness any antisocial behaviour in that area.

We continue to try to halt the overdevelopment of our neighbourhood. Some planning applications have been turned down after our lobbying. Thank you to all those who have taken the time to object.

Help During the COVID-19 Crisis

Please note the following information regarding Barnet’s COVID19 support Helpline:

If you, a family member, friend, or close member of your community are in need of urgent help that is not medical related, then please:

  • Complete the online form on the Barnet website for help and support, or
  • Call the FREE Helpline on 0808 281 3210 (open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm)

If you need medical help you should phone NHS 111 – or for genuinely urgent medical help, 999.

If you need help with an urgent prescription, please try contacting your GP or pharmacy first.

The latest government advice can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Essential Help

We hope you are all doing OK in these worrying times.

  • Please continue to keep an eye out for your elderly and vulnerable neighbours.
  • If you are feeling isolated and would like a chat, you are not alone! – we are at the other end of the phone.  
  • If anyone needs essential shopping you can contact our association and we will try our best to accommodate.

Also, please note that anyone who is ill or elderly can contact Barnet to get food parcels delivered: click here for more information and to apply.

The latest government advice can be found on the GOV.UK website.

We have been blessed with wonderful weather and we hope you will open up your windows and doors and let the Vitamin D pour in! Sunshine is the best medicine.

In the words of Desmond Tutu: Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

Memories Local History Group

Under present circumstances, the Memories Local History Group, that normally meets every Wednesday 3.30-5.00 pm at the Carey Hall’s Open Space, has suspended its meetings until further notice. 
 
We are exploring at present how to keep members in touch with each other telephonically. If you have any technological suggestions for doing so, require further information or you’d like to take part, please email memories@ggera.org.uk or call 020 8987 8096.

Coronavirus

We hope everyone is keeping safe and taking care of themselves. Just a reminder to keep an eye out for elderly or unwell neighbours who may need a helping hand – especially at this time. Now is the time to be kind and neighbourly and to take care of each other.

The latest advice from the NHS is available here.

Food banks

Due to the unprecedented economic circumstances people are losing their jobs and struggling to buy food.  Donating a couple of food items to a local food bank could make the world of difference.

You can donate at Tesco. Otherwise, use this link to find a food bank near you.

Local shops

Please also support our local independent shops and businesses so that they can survive the turbulence and continue to provide services for us in the future.  For example:

  • A small start up like Cricklewood Coffee (at Cricklewood Station every weekday 6:30 am – 12:00 pm) will freshly grind coffee beans for us.
  • Slightly further afield, Cafe Macarong in Golders Green Road is another local independent coffee shop run by a young woman who bakes her own super delicious cakes.

… and not forgetting our wonderful local pharmacy in Pennine Drive, W. Price Chemist.