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Newsletter ¦ 9th April

Greetings from the Jubilee Centre!

I hope you and your loved ones are well. Our thoughts are with the Queen and her family at this very sad time. RIP HRH Prince Philip

This week, we are seeing infections fall and many more people are getting their second vaccination. We are not out of the woods yet as experience has shown us that the virus has sneaky ways of spreading rapidly. Enjoy the freedom of shopping and getting your hair done but remember the basic rules to keep each other alive and well. Let’s do it for Bury!

The newsletter consists of three parts – an update on coronavirus in Bury, an update of our services and a round-up of local news items that may interest you including the offer of free digital courses to help you with your tablet or smartphone. Oh, and there is the quiz!

Part One: Coronavirus in Bury

In Bury, on Thursday 8th April, 47.1 people per 100,000 were tested positive for coronavirus – that is a decrease of 34% from the previous week’s figure. On the same day, the England average was 32.5 people testing positive per 100,000 – a fall of 40% from the previous week’s figure. 

This coming Monday sees the reopening of non-essential retail, hairdressers, and pubs. For a full list of what can open and where you can do, click onto  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

Let’s Do it for Bury

To keep the infection levels down in Bury, the basic rules are:

  • Remember the mantra of “hands, face, space and fresh air”!
  • You must wear a face covering in many indoor settings, such as shops and places of worship, and on public transport, unless you are exempt.
  • You should stay 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in your household or support bubble where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings) if you cannot stay 2 metres apart.
  • Meeting with others at home should only happen in the garden and consist of no more than six people or two households.

Vaccination Update

By 4th April 2021, a total of 91,439 first doses of the vaccine have been delivered by Bury’s four community vaccination centres, hospital hubs and regional vaccination centres. That’s a tremendous achievement by our council, local health services, the army and local volunteers. 

The Bury Council website has a page about the vaccine at https://www.bury.gov.uk/coronavirus-vaccine

If you are aged 50 or over, you can book your vaccination on Bury Covid 19 Vaccination booking service. Go to https://covid.nhsbookings.com/gmpcn

Free PPE for Unpaid Carers in Bury

Bury Council is offering free PPE for unpaid carers who are going into other people’s homes to provide care. 

For more information go to https://www.personasupport.org/support-for-carers/ppe-for-carers/

Part two: Our support to you

Nordic Walking

Diana is leading the Nordic Walking session on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00 pm till 3.00 pm. The classes are £5, payable by cash or cheque, on the day. We will supply the poles and Diana will give full instructions. You can just turn up on the day.

New: Our Charity Shops

We have taken the decision not to open our shops on the Rock and in Ramsbottom until our staff and volunteers have received their second vaccination. We hope to open Rammy later this month and the Bury Shop in May. 

We are unable to collect donations from your home until the rules for storing items change. Currently we must store all donations for 72 hours before we can put them on display, to protect both staff and customers. As there is not much space in either shop, it creates problems with storage. 

Telephone helpline and online support 

We will be answering the Age UK Bury office telephone – 0161 763 9030 - from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm every weekday. If we can not help, we are sure to find someone who can! If you get the answerphone, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. 

We will update people with latest news on

During the Coronavirus pandemic, we are trying to keep essential support services open. These include: 

Tea and Chat with Sue on Zoom

Sue is running a Tuesday afternoon Tea and Chat session, giving people a chance to catch up with friends.  

Our free online chats will take place from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. To join us, send an email to Sue at taichi.college@yahoo.co.uk for an access code and link. Get your best china out!

This class is available on the Zoom platform. To download the free app, go to https://zoom.us/ 

Tai Chi with Sue

Sue also holds a Tai Chi class online on Fridays at 11.00 am. Send an email to taichi.college@yahoo.co.uk for an access code and link.

Sue has kindly set up a new group on Facebook for all who are interested in Tai Chi - click onto https://www.facebook.com/groups/144906774110472 or search for “Age UK Bury Tai Chi Group”. Thank you, Sue. 

Diana's classes

Diana will be live on our Facebook page on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

  • Monday: 11.00 to 11.45 am: Gentle Exercise
  • Monday: 11.50 to 12.35 Chair Based Exercise
  • Tuesday: 10.00 to 10.45: DanceFit 
  • Wednesday: 11.00 to 12.00 am: Pilates 

If you can’t make these times, Facebook will let you watch at a later time.

Join us at https://www.facebook.com/ageukbury/ Thank you Diana.

Opening Up The Jubilee Centre

We plan to reopen the Jubilee Centre Cafe from Monday 17th May.

Once the government publishes its guidance on indoor activities from 17th May, we will see if we can get some classes back in the centre but it is likely that most activities will restart from 21st June. 

Part Three: And in other news

Digital Skills - a free six week course

Bury Libraries and Archives are offering a free six week course on how to use tablets and smartphones to help with shopping, work, education and connecting with family and friends.

The courses are based at:

  • Attic Project from Tuesday 4th May (10-12 noon)
  • Prestwich Library from Wednesday 5th May (10-12 noon)
  • Ramsbottom Library from Tuesday 11th May (1-3 pm)

Phone 0161 253 5772 to book a free place. Please tell your friends who are not online about this wonderful offer. 

A Way with Words - 90-minute Online Poetry Session - SATURDAY 10th APRIL, 11AM-12.30PM

Local poet Josef Minta will take you on a journey around the Bury Art Museum collection, your local environment, and your own home as a jumping off point for writing poetry. In the session you will think about, discuss, and write poetry in a safe and supportive environment. Perfect for the first-time writer or the experienced poet looking to connect.

To sign up, please contact Gina Warburton via email: g.warburton@bury.gov.uk or telephone 07970748156. She will then send you a link to the session and answer any questions you might have.

Bury Leisure

Bury Leisure is reopening its gyms, pools and outdoor fitness sessions (Castle only) from Monday 12th April. They are also taking bookings for squash, badminton and table tennis. Restrictions apply.   

For all the details, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/buryleisure

Pubs

From Monday, pubs can offer outside service. In Bury, we know that the Trackside, by the East Lancs Railway, and The Victoria in Walshaw will be open from Monday.

The website  https://catchmeoutside.co/ is listing pubs throughout the UK offering outside service.

When you place your order, please support local Bury breweries. Unlike pubs, they have not been able to get the hospitality grant and have experienced difficult times. We have some of the best beers in the UK and your support is vital at this time!

Bury Market

Bury Market will be back open in full from Monday 12th April, with the first full market day being Wednesday 14th April!

All stalls (essential and non-essential) will be allowed to open back up, to the regular market days of Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with Market Hall and Fish & Meat Hall stalls also being open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Social distancing measures will continue to be in place, with numbers being limited in indoor areas of the market, and banners and signs giving guidance so all shoppers and traders can stay safe. Indoor hospitality venues won't be able to seat customers, but will offer takeaway service.

Postal Votes

Elections for the GM Mayor and Bury Council take place on Thursday 6th May. Polling stations will be safe places to vote but you may miss out voting if you are required to quarantine on this day. 

In order to vote by post, click on this link, fill in the form and return it to Bury Council by Tuesday 20th April.   

Missing a Newsletter / Got some news?

If you are looking for a previous newsletter, they are all available on our website at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/coronavirus/

If you have any news to share, please send to news@ageukbury.org.uk

Quiz-time 

The answers to last week’s Ireland Quiz is in the link. 

This week’s General Knowledge Quiz (9th April)  brings you another 50 questions to test that grey matter. There is no point cheating as there are no prizes  but you will be over the moon if you get all the answers before next Friday! Good Luck! 

Stay Safe  & Keep Strong

Andy and all at Age UK Bury

So wonderful to see our Ramblers meet up again for socially-distanced walks!