Newsletter ¦ 18th December
Greetings from the Jubilee Centre
I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well. It’s starting to feel a lot like…err well…any other day really…but I have managed to find some festive cheer to add to last part of this newsletter.
The best news of the week is that we are hearing that some of our older members have been given their first vaccine injection. The bad news is that Bury remains in Tier Three and subject to all those frustrating restrictions.
This week’s newsletter is split into three parts. The first two parts are about Coronavirus in Bury and our services over the Christmas period.
In part three, there is information about Christmas events coming to you from The Met in Bury, a warning about letters from the DWP, activities for the New Year, and there is the quiz at the end. Happy Reading.
Part 1: Coronavirus in Bury (18th December)
Last week's newsletter reported that, in Bury, 231.4 people per 100,000 were tested positive for coronavirus. This has now fallen to 204.7 per 100,000 people (Figure for 16th December - source Manchester Evening News).
In comparison, the avarage figure of England is 205.7 per 100,000 people so Bury is actually doing better than the England average for once.
The borough of Bury remains under Tier Three rules.
In general, the rules are that you must not meet anyone you do not live with socially indoors, or outdoors in a private garden or at most outdoor public venues, but you can see friends and family you do not live with in a group of up to 6 in some outdoor public places such as parks.
Non-essential shops are open again, but restaurants, pubs and cafes, such as our Jubilee Centre, must remain closed.
Please go to the Bury Council Website for more information about the new rules under tier three: https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15594
For help with shopping and collection prescriptions, click onto this site https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/coronavirus/shop/
To find out about how to get a test for coronavirus, please go to the Bury Council website: https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15451
For all those questions about Coronavirus, and how it affects your life, please check out the Age UK FAQ website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/coronavirus/
Christmas Bubbles – What’s best for you?
Between 23rd and 27th December, you can legally form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households to spend Christmas with. As you may have noticed, the papers and TV have been full of debate as to whether this is a good idea or not.
The reality is that the coronavirus is not taking a holiday and thrives when people travel and mix with others. The virus has been with us for ten months now and if you have managed to stay free of infection, then whatever you are doing is working. The vaccine will be distributed over the next few months and that will protect people when meeting with others.
Age UK has compiled some key questions families should be asking themselves to make the safest decision for them. Read it here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/discover/2020/11/things-to-think-about-when-making-christmas-plans/
Vaccine
The vaccine will be offered to priority groups - people aged over 80, and residents and staff in care homes. People will receive an invitation to get the vaccine by a letter or a phone call from their GP or the national NHS. This letter or call will include all the information needed to book appointments.
Please do not contact your GP requesting a vaccine – they will contact you.
Part 2: Our support to you, your family and friends over Christmas and New Year
We will be answering the Age UK Bury office telephone – 0161 763 9030 - from 10.00 am to 2.00 pm from Monday 21st to 23rd December and then from Tuesday 29th December to 31st December. From Monday, 4th January, normal service will resume. If we cannot help, we are sure to find someone who can!
Our Keeping in Touch telephone service will continue to call people on Monday 21st to 23rd December, and then from Tuesday 29th December to 31st December. From Monday, 4th January, normal service will resume.
Dougie, our Foot Health Practitioner will be taking appointments for 22nd December and then his next session will be on Tuesday 5th January. Each appointment costs £20.Please call in advance to make an appointment. Call 0161 763 9030.
The Information & Advice service & The Handyperson Service both close on 23rd December and reopen on 4th January.
Diana will be running all of her online classes as normal on 21st, 23rd, 28th and 30th December. For more details, click here: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/bury/our-services/online-activities/
Sue will be taking a well-earning break for Christmas and will resume the online Tai Chi classes from Friday 8th January 2021.
Our activities, our café, our two charity shops and Friends Together are closed until further notice.
Support from our national partner
Both these services continue every day through Christmas and the New Year.
- The Age UK Advice Line is 0800 678 1602 from 8 am to 7 pm, every day of the year.
- If you would just like to have a friendly natter with another person, please call The Silver Line 24 hours a day on 0800 470 80 90.
Part 3: ...and in other news...
Today: Winter's Drawing In
Archibald Croaker leads an alternative life drawing class, taking a quick and informal look at Bury Gallery's art collection. Join the arty lockdown party on Facebook today (18th December) at 4.30 pm.
Click onto https://www.facebook.com/events/828785537855207
Check your Winter Fuel Payment Letter
Over 60,000 people who receive the Winter Fuel Payment stand to lose out after the Department of Work and Pensions sent out letters with incorrect information.
The DWP has confirmed that 59,000 letters had incorrect bank details in them, so people found money was going to bank accounts that had been closed. Other letters included incorrect information about the level of payment people are entitled to.
Go to Money Saving Expert to find out more and how to ensure you receive your full entitlement: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/12/winter-fuel-payments-letters-confusion/
A Very Bury Christmas!
On Sunday evening (20th December) at 7 pm, there will be a free online festive celebration of the best of Bury’s creative community.
This is run by The Met and will feature performances from Bury’s community choirs and musicians that will lift the spirits and shine a light on talent in our borough.
https://themet.org.uk/event/a-very-bury-christmas/
Also, The Met will be streaming Little Darling At Home, a whimsical and fun adventure story for small people with big imaginations. This is performed by the Full House Theatre. The performance will premiere at 2.30pm on 22nd December, and will be available until 2.30pm on Christmas Eve.
https://themet.org.uk/event/little-darling/
Walk With Me events for the New Year
The weekly Bury Walk With Me events are back from the first week in January and provide a great chance to get some exercise, fresh air and the company of others – in the safe outdoors!
Due to Covid restrictions, people need to phone up and book their place on the walks – don’t just turn up.
The first walks are as follows:
- Bury Hospice Walk and Talk: Tuesday 5 January at 10:30am. (Bookings taken each Monday between 2pm-4pm on 07786 935 276)
- BEATS (Longer) Community Walk: Friday 8 Jan at 10:30am. (Bookings taken each Thursday between 2pm-4pm on 0161 253 7530)
- Chesham Woods & Parkland Walk: Monday 11 Jan at 1pm. (Bookings taken each Monday between 10am-12pm on 07934 076 790)
- Greenmount Community Walk: Tuesday 12 Jan at 10:30am. (Bookings taken each Monday between 2pm-4pm on 07979 949 090)
- Prestwich Community Walk: Saturday 16 Jan at 10:30am. (Bookings taken each Friday between 2pm-4pm on 07742 739 880)
- Macmillan Cancer Support Walk: Tuesday 19 Jan at 11am. (Bookings taken each Monday between 2pm-4pm on 07714 719 039)
- BEATS (Short) Community Walk: Wednesday 20 Jan at 1pm. (Bookings taken each Wednesday. between 10am-12pm on 0161 253 7530)
- Radcliffe Community Walk. Thursday 21 Jan at 1pm. (Bookings taken each Thursday between 10am-12pm on: 07771 602 089)
To keep Covid-safe, walkers will be in groups of six and keep two metres apart. Participants are advised to bring hand sanitiser and a facemask, and not to share food or drink with other walkers. Remember – do not attend a walk if you have symptoms of Covid, but stay at home and book a test.
The walks cater for a variety of fitness levels and last from 30 minutes to 90 minutes. They are suitable for beginners, regular walkers or just those who would like to go for a scenic stroll with like-minded individuals.
For more details, go to https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/walkfinder/bury-walk-me
Winter School with U3A
In January, U3A is launching its Winter School. The classes will be on the Zoom platform and include courses such as Creative Writing, Introduction to philosophy, Garden Talks, Recorder Ensemble, Cryptic Crosswords for beginners & much more.
For more details, click on https://www.u3a.org.uk/events/educational-events
Fed up with the TV re-runs?
The British Film Institute has over thousands of videos covering all aspects of British life over the last 120 years, which you can watch for free. Click here: https://player.bfi.org.uk/search/free
One film from 1955 features ladies of Bury promoting the joys of frocks made from man-made fibers: https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-various-events-in-bury-1955-online
Football fans can see a glimpse of Manchester United’s 1902 appearance at Burnley, making it the earliest footage of the team. https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-burnley-v-manchester-united-1902-1902-online
Our new 100 Club
The purchase of one number in our new 100 club is the safest present you could buy someone this Christmas!
Our 100 Club is taking off and the first draw will be at the end of January 2021. Numbers are available at £60 for the year or £5 per month.
If all numbers are sold, then the prizes will be
- First Prize: £125
- Second Prize: £75
- Third Prize: £15
You can download the membership form and rules below.
Alternatively, you can pick up all the forms at the Jubilee (Monday to Friday 10.30 to 2.00) or we can send them out if you call us on 0161 763 9030 or email admin@ageukbury.org.uk.
All funds raised from the 100 Club go to supporting our services in Bury.
The Quiz
Last week's quiz was Festive Films and Music The answers are in the link.
This week’s quiz is Festive Films and Music Part Two.
The quiz is just for fun and to keep you out of mischief. We sadly don’t have any prizes but you get the warm glow of success, if you get all the answers right.
Thank you to Eleanor for preparing these quizzes for us and keeping us busy.
Next Newsletter
We will publish our next newsletter on Wednesday 23rd December and then on 8th January 2021.
Contributions of news are welcome. Please send to news@ageukbury.org.uk
Keep safe and be kind to yourself.
Andy and all at Age UK Bury
