Dear Councillor’s - in advance of the official government announcement this afternoon, we are writing to inform you that Oxford City will be moving to the ‘high’ level of the COVID alert system from Saturday 31 October. 

The rest of the county will remain at ‘medium’ (tier 1) level at the present time. 

The national three-tier system, which was recently introduced in England, classifies areas as medium (tier 1), high (tier 2) or very high (tier 3), based on their numbers of infection and overall risk level. 

What will change?

The move from tier 1 to tier 2 will result in the introduction of a number of additional restrictions in the city of Oxford. Overall, it means that Oxford residents will not be permitted to socialise with anybody outside of their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. You can read more on the government’s website about what ‘high’ restrictions will entail.

Why is Oxford moving? 

Oxford city will move into tier 2 as a preventative measure to stem the transmission rate and protect our most vulnerable residents. 

Over the past three weeks, we have not only seen a continued rise in cases in the city, but increasing evidence of the spread of the virus, beyond people in their teens and twenties, to older and potentially more vulnerable age groups. Hospital admissions have begun to increase as a result.  

We know that transmission of the virus takes place largely as a result of inter-household mixing. By moving Oxford into tier 2, which prevents households from mixing in indoor settings, we are taking preventative measures to stop the situation from escalating further. This is particularly important with events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali approaching, when many households will be planning to come together to socialise. 

Keeping all our residents safe

The central government decision to move Oxford into tier 2 follows intensive discussions between local authority partners, MPs, central government and Public Health England. All partners across the Oxfordshire system had strongly advocated for the county as a whole to move to tier 2 on account of rising cases across all districts combined with the spread of the virus beyond people in their teens and twenties to older and potentially more vulnerable age groups.

We are disappointed that, despite clear evidence showing the virus is now spreading rapidly across the county, the decision was taken to move just Oxford into tier 2 at the present time. However, we will continue to push for the rest of the county to move as soon as possible.

We realise that having Oxford in a different tier to the rest of the county adds complexity. To help with this, we are publishing a comprehensive set of Q&As about the new restrictions on our website at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/highalertlevel. These set out the rules residents need to follow in high alert areas and provide advice for those who regularly travel between areas in different tiers, for example to go to work or school.

We will be working with partners across the Oxfordshire system to issue extended communications informing residents about the new alert level and urging people to adhere to the new restrictions. We would be very grateful for your support in promoting these messages to your constituents and urging all residents across the county to continue to follow prevention measures, including keeping your distance, washing your hands frequently, and using a face covering.  

Kind regards, 

Yvonne Rees                and               Ansaf Azhar
Chief Executive                            Director of Public Health
​

Dear villagers,

As you will know I am not allowed to come round with the poppies this year, and I am very sorry, as it is the only time I see some of you and have a chat. I am sure you will all give just as generously as you usually do, there will be a stand in Faringdon on the next 2 Saturdays, collectors are in Tesco and of course you can donate on line.

Remember our service men do so much, they can be risking their lives trying to keep the peace in Afghanistan one week, then building a Nightingale hospital, quickly and efficiently, the next, or driving an ambulance, or helping in floods.  These are strange times, but we will get through them, stay safe and stay positive. 

Love to all
Betty,  your poppy lady.
​

As we are unable to hold the usual 'All Souls' Day' service this year, when candles are lit in memory of those in the Benefice who have died, I have been asked to let you know the following.   

Coleshill Church will be open on Sunday next (actually 1 November, All Saints' Day) from 2-3 pm for anyone to go and light a candle in memory of a loved one who has died.
​

It has sadly been decided by the Crib Committee and the PCC that the Christmas Nativity Crib display will not be set up in the Barn this year, nor will the Christmas Eve procession or Barn Service take place. This is because of the difficult H&S requirements regarding the Covid-19 pandemic and the current uncertain outlook. We all hope the situation will return to normal for Christmas next year.
​

Read here

People in Oxfordshire are being advised to be extra vigilant, particularly over half-term, as cases of coronavirus continue to spread across the county.

Evidence shows that, in the past two weeks, the virus has spread to a much wider age range across the county and is no longer confined to younger people in urban areas. Hospital admissions have begun to increase as a result.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health Ansaf Azhar said: “Across all areas of the county, we are starting to see a significant shift in the spread of the virus beyond people in their teens and 20s to older and more vulnerable age groups. This is a really concerning development. We know that, once the virus starts to spread to more vulnerable groups, then hospital cases will rise and deaths will inevitably follow.

“We have seen what’s been happening across the north of England and how the virus has quickly taken hold across huge swathes of the community. Based on the current trajectory of the virus, we could well find ourselves in a similar position in just a few weeks’ time if we do not take collective action now.”

“With half-term approaching, as well as events such as Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali coming up, it’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of meeting up and celebrating with friends and family. But we mustn’t forget about COVID. We need to do everything we can to keep our families and communities safe and stop the spread.

“I know the temptation will be to meet up and socialise over half-term. However, the virus thrives when people are in close contact with one another. So I would strongly urge everyone to limit their social interactions and focus instead on the many COVID-secure family activities that are taking place over half-term.”

Oxfordshire is currently at the ‘medium’ or tier 1 level in the COVID-19 alert system. This is the national three-tier system, which classifies areas as medium, high or very high based on their numbers of infection and overall risk level.

Discussions have taken place this week with central Government about whether all areas of Oxfordshire should move to the ‘high’ alert level, given concerns over the spread of the virus to age groups beyond people in their teens and 20s to potentially more vulnerable groups.

The decision has been taken not to move the county to a high alert level at this stage. However, the situation is being monitored extremely closely and Oxfordshire’s Director of Public Health and Council Leaders are pushing for a move to happen as soon as possible.

Moving to a high alert level would mean that residents could not socialise with anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place.

Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Ian Hudspeth said: “In light of the escalating situation across the county, we are pushing hard for Oxfordshire to be moved to a high alert level. This would be a preventative measure to stem the spread of the virus and protect the county’s most vulnerable residents.

“We are aware that some businesses, particularly the hospitality sector, would be affected if we moved to a high alert level, and we welcome the announcement from Government today that additional support will be available.

“However, we must do everything we can to keep residents across the county safe. We know that the majority of transmissions occur when different households mix, so increasing our alert level to high, which prevents households from mixing socially in indoor settings, is one of the best ways we can help our residents at this critical time.”

Our first service back in the church yesterday was an unusual one, in that we blessed our Easter candle and celebrated the Harvest at the same time! However, it was good to be back for those of us who attended.  We remembered those who were unable to be with us.

We were very grateful to those who had provided the decorations for it, particularly Jenny and Brenda who did some lovely floral arrangements for us in gorgeous muted autumnal colours.  It seemed a shame to lock it all away again afterwards.  

I have decided to open the church this week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm for anyone who would like to go into the church to see the flowers. Perhaps there are those who would like to say a prayer for the current situation in the world and for our new vicar, whose arrival has been delayed but who will be joining us shortly, and of course anything else that might be on your mind.

Please use the sanitiser provided inside the door and only use the pews that are open in case anyone follows you in a short while.  The delay between openings should limit the possibility of the virus persisting in the church.

Pat
​

Jackie died peacefully at home with family at her side on 10th October 2020.

Pete Wallis

The recently reviewed plan is now available, click here for more information on this website, or here to view the Vale of White Horse District Council website.

Well done and thank you to all those involved for all the hard work.
​

Service on Sunday, 18th October at 9.30 am

We shall at last have our first service since lockdown on Sunday next, after so many weeks without.  As we were unable to have our usual Harvest Festival this year, we shall mark our reopening with a shortened Morning Prayer service which will have a harvest flavour.  Unfortunately we are not able to sing the beautiful harvest hymns but some of them will be played on the organ.

The church has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitised. Hand sanitiser and wipes will be available at the door.  No-one will enter the church between Friday and Sunday as an additional precaution.  A Risk Assessment is in place and will be displayed in the porch.

We hope to see as many people as possible there to mark the occasion.  If you wish to join us, could you please contact me, either by email or phone, in order to satisfy the 'Track and Trace' requirements (the NHS app isn't practical for us, we feel!).  However, if you decide to come at the last minute, don't be put off - I will have paper and pen at the door to take names.  As we only have one door, you will be shown to a seat when you enter and shown out individually at the end.  

We look forward to welcoming you on Sunday - don't forget - 9.30 am. I do hope you can come.

Pat Cook
Churchwarden

01367 241632
phemes43@gmail.com
​