Lockdown Spotlight. Paul Kent
Headline news. Social worker spotted in Great Coxwell masquerading as Royal Mail postman!
Disturbing evidence is coming to light that a community social worker, Mr Paul Kent of Hayden Wick has been spotted in Great Coxwell masquerading as a local postman. Great Coxwell Support Group Newsletter’s editor has been approached by a number of residents who have been observing Mr Kent chatting to neighbours (whilst social distancing, of course), and asking them how they are doing, whilst also delivering the post. Alarmingly, he comes into the village most days dressed in a Royal Mail uniform and he even drives a red Royal Mail van!...
Headline news. Social worker spotted in Great Coxwell masquerading as Royal Mail postman!
Disturbing evidence is coming to light that a community social worker, Mr Paul Kent of Hayden Wick has been spotted in Great Coxwell masquerading as a local postman. Great Coxwell Support Group Newsletter’s editor has been approached by a number of residents who have been observing Mr Kent chatting to neighbours (whilst social distancing, of course), and asking them how they are doing, whilst also delivering the post. Alarmingly, he comes into the village most days dressed in a Royal Mail uniform and he even drives a red Royal Mail van!...
Paul Kent and his Royal Mail van.
In further developments, Paul has been seen fraternising with residents’ dogs and leaving them biscuits when delivering the mail. One local man was interviewed and alleged that Mr Kent has become very popular with pretty much every dog in the village. He said ‘How does my guard dog stand a chance? He is supposed to warn off visitors but nowadays he just pines by the door each morning until Paul turns up with his biscuit. It’s a hopeless situation!’
Postman Paul Kent with founder member and secretary of the Great Coxwell branch of his canine fan club, Lulu!
On a more serious note, Paul has been delivering mail to our community for the past 27 years. He was brought up in Stanford-in-the-Vale, is married to Karen and has a son, Matthew. Paul’s daily postal round for the past 16 years starts in Faringdon and includes both Little and Great Coxwell, Buscot, Buscot Wick and Eaton Hastings. Throughout Lockdown, he has had to come into work even earlier than normal, at 5.15 each morning to allow the post to be sorted whilst keeping to social distancing rules. On good days, he finishes at around 2.15 in the afternoon. Known by everyone in Great Coxwell, Paul has earned a reputation for his extraordinary kindness and consideration. What is clear is that he loves his job and shows a genuine interest in the people he serves.
What you may not know is that Paul and Karen have had some challenges over the years looking after Matthew, their son. Matthew was born prematurely, at 25 weeks and suffers from both heart and lung conditions and Cerebral Palsy. He had to be provided with oxygen support for the first 7 years of his life, so the house was fitted with leads and pipes to allow him to move around. As a youngster, Matthew was unable to play with other kids, but he has had great support in recent years from Crowdys Hill Special Needs School.
Matthew lives at home with Mum and Dad and has been assessed as in the ‘vulnerable category’ throughout the Covid 19 pandemic. So much of Paul’s spare time has been devoted to keeping Matthew safe.
What has been the most difficult thing about lockdown? ‘I have found it really difficult not being able to meet up and get close to my wider family.’
How have you found the lockdown? ‘Ok, but ensuring I keep my distance from people during work is challenging.’
Any tips on lockdown? ‘Enjoy your time at home! It’s not a bad thing spending time with your nearest and dearest!’
We are very lucky to have Paul as our very own postman. Thank you, Paul, from all of us in Great Coxwell!
That’s all this week. I thought it might be helpful to include some useful contact details in this edition of the Newsletter (see below).
Stay Safe and best regards
Mandy xxx
Important Contact Details (for reference)
Great Coxwell Support Group - Mandy Burns. Tel 01367 240142. Burns.amanda@btinternet.com
Great Coxwell Community Fund. Pam Smith – 01367240233
Newsletter – web@greatcoxwell.com
Great Coxwell Parish Council – clerk@greatcoxwell.com
111 on Line - https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ Call 111 if you can’t get on line.
Elm Tree Surgery, Shrivenham - 01793 782207
The White Horse Surgery, Faringdon – 01367 242388
Shrivenham Pharmacy - 01793 783336
Shrivenham Post Office - 01793 782260
Help lines and support networks
Oxfordshire All In - A central hub for Community Support Groups
County Council - 01865 897820 shield@oxfordshire.gov.uk
District Council - 01235 422 600 communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk
Therapy and self-development network https://www.otscentre.co.uk/
MIND https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
Citizens Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk 0300 330 9042
Local Food Supplies
Bloomfield’s Fine Food - 01793 783999: info@bloomfieldsfinefood.co.uk
Coleshill Organics – 01793 861070
Hinton Marsh Farm Shop - 07968 866323 info@hintonmarshfarm.co.uk
Farmer Gows, Longcot - 01793 780555 enquiries@farmergows.co.uk
Pat Thomas Butchers, Faringdon - 01367 240551 shop@patthomasbutchers.co.uk
Andrews Butchers Highworth – 01793 762085 aqmltd95@outlook.com
Local Take Away Food service
The Eagle, Little Coxwell – 01367 241879
The Snooty Mehmaan. Littleworth – 01367 242260
The Harbour Fish and Chips, Faringdon – 01367 244094
The Barrington Arms, Shrivenham- 01793 784692
The Crown, Shrivenham - 01793 784584
Prince of Wales, Shrivenham - 01793 782268 / 07876632586
Gulshan Brasserie, Shrivenham - 01793 782388
What you may not know is that Paul and Karen have had some challenges over the years looking after Matthew, their son. Matthew was born prematurely, at 25 weeks and suffers from both heart and lung conditions and Cerebral Palsy. He had to be provided with oxygen support for the first 7 years of his life, so the house was fitted with leads and pipes to allow him to move around. As a youngster, Matthew was unable to play with other kids, but he has had great support in recent years from Crowdys Hill Special Needs School.
Matthew lives at home with Mum and Dad and has been assessed as in the ‘vulnerable category’ throughout the Covid 19 pandemic. So much of Paul’s spare time has been devoted to keeping Matthew safe.
What has been the most difficult thing about lockdown? ‘I have found it really difficult not being able to meet up and get close to my wider family.’
How have you found the lockdown? ‘Ok, but ensuring I keep my distance from people during work is challenging.’
Any tips on lockdown? ‘Enjoy your time at home! It’s not a bad thing spending time with your nearest and dearest!’
We are very lucky to have Paul as our very own postman. Thank you, Paul, from all of us in Great Coxwell!
That’s all this week. I thought it might be helpful to include some useful contact details in this edition of the Newsletter (see below).
Stay Safe and best regards
Mandy xxx
Important Contact Details (for reference)
Great Coxwell Support Group - Mandy Burns. Tel 01367 240142. Burns.amanda@btinternet.com
Great Coxwell Community Fund. Pam Smith – 01367240233
Newsletter – web@greatcoxwell.com
Great Coxwell Parish Council – clerk@greatcoxwell.com
111 on Line - https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ Call 111 if you can’t get on line.
Elm Tree Surgery, Shrivenham - 01793 782207
The White Horse Surgery, Faringdon – 01367 242388
Shrivenham Pharmacy - 01793 783336
Shrivenham Post Office - 01793 782260
Help lines and support networks
Oxfordshire All In - A central hub for Community Support Groups
County Council - 01865 897820 shield@oxfordshire.gov.uk
District Council - 01235 422 600 communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk
Therapy and self-development network https://www.otscentre.co.uk/
MIND https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing
Citizens Advice - https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk 0300 330 9042
Local Food Supplies
Bloomfield’s Fine Food - 01793 783999: info@bloomfieldsfinefood.co.uk
Coleshill Organics – 01793 861070
Hinton Marsh Farm Shop - 07968 866323 info@hintonmarshfarm.co.uk
Farmer Gows, Longcot - 01793 780555 enquiries@farmergows.co.uk
Pat Thomas Butchers, Faringdon - 01367 240551 shop@patthomasbutchers.co.uk
Andrews Butchers Highworth – 01793 762085 aqmltd95@outlook.com
Local Take Away Food service
The Eagle, Little Coxwell – 01367 241879
The Snooty Mehmaan. Littleworth – 01367 242260
The Harbour Fish and Chips, Faringdon – 01367 244094
The Barrington Arms, Shrivenham- 01793 784692
The Crown, Shrivenham - 01793 784584
Prince of Wales, Shrivenham - 01793 782268 / 07876632586
Gulshan Brasserie, Shrivenham - 01793 782388
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