Featured Articles
Community Support
Posted Friday March 27th, 2020, 10:25 am
Bridgnorth Town Council has been made aware of the following community support initiatives during the Coronavirus outbreak:
- Bridgnorth Covid-19 Mutual Aid - This is a community organising Facebook page, run by volunteers, to support the most vulnerable and isolated in our community during the Covid-19 outbreak. The idea is to co-ordinate so that they can help those who are self-isolating with errands, groceries, friendly phone calls, etc. If you need support or are looking to offer support, please visit www.facebook.com/groups/bridgnorthmutualaid where you can complete an online form.
They can also be emailed on [email protected] or contacted by phone on 01746 802091. - The League of Friends of Bridgnorth Hospital, along with Reverend Simon and Reverend Sarah Cawdell are offering both practical support and an opportunity for a chat or a friendly voice at the end of the phone for anyone in isolation.
For practical support, please contact Tamsin on 07743 165247, www.facebook.com/League-of-Friends-of-Bridgnorth-Hospital or [email protected]
For a chat, Rev'd Simon Cawdell or Rev'd Sarah Cawdell can be contacted on 01746 761573. - Shropshire Council have formed a Community Reassurance Team for the Bridgnorth locality. This aims to match people who are approaching the council for support, to relevant volunteers who are based within the location of the individual. Residents are being asked to use the Helpline if they have any coronavirus-related issues or enquiries. The Helpline is 0345 678 9028, and is available from 8am to 6pm weekdays, and 9am to 1pm Saturdays. Each caller will be asked to explain their need and, if required, this information will be passed on to a Community Reassurance Team.
The council’s new Helpline cannot provide coronavirus health advice or other health advice, and you will be directed to go onto NHS 111 online, as per Public Health England / Government advice, if this is what is needed. Further information can be found by using the following link https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/
With thanks to Love Bridgnorth, a live list of shops and services which remain open or are providing a delivery service can be found here
You can also register on the Government website if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely vulnerable to coronavirus. For example, you’ll be able to ask for help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food. To register, please visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable
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Closure of Open Spaces, Play and Outdoor Gym Equipment
Posted Wednesday March 25th, 2020, 1:46 pm
Bridgnorth Town Council is continually reconsidering the delivery of a number of services to the Townsfolk in light of the Government advice. In particular we are concerned about open public spaces that we manage and are responsible for. The advice is ‘Stay at Home’
We have regrettably felt the need to close the Castle Grounds to the public until further notice.
We have cordoned off playground equipment to discourage its use and to encourage social distancing. Please do not use, we understand the virus can stay on the surface for a substantial period of time.
Severn Park is now closed for vehicular access for the foreseeable future. The aim is to deter those that are not in close proximity to the Park from driving to it and increasing social contact that might be avoided
We are keen that residents to have some limited access to open spaces in these difficult times however should we observe that the people are disregarding the advice to stay apart (except household groups), we will not hesitate to close facilities completely. If you want to go for a walk to one of our open spaces and as you approach it looks like the Park is getting busy please turn around and go home.
We have taken the step of splitting our grounds maintenance team to provide 7 days a-week coverage; we will have staff that can regularly monitor the situation and take prompt action.
All of our actions are intended to contribute to the national and worldwide effort to save lives. There might be some inconvenience to individuals and this is regrettable. However, all the positive actions being taken by the huge majority of residents (staying at home) can be so easily undone by a few.
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Announcement from Bridgnorth Town Council
Posted Monday March 23rd, 2020, 3:26 pm
The Government has told us very clearly that we should stay at home as far as possible and stay at least 2 metres apart. Bridgnorth Town Council entirely support that advice and for this reason early last week closed Castle Hall, the Town Hall (apart from a few small weddings) and Low Town Community Hall.
Therefore it was most regrettable that very many people appear to be ignoring clear advice and continuing to congregate in large numbers and in close proximity as was clearly demonstrated on Saturday in our High St.
The Council strongly urge everyone to heed this sensible advice. Stay at home. Keep 2 metres apart. Wash your hands carefully and frequently. That way we have a good chance of slowing the spread of COVID-19.
We are considering the situation of the town centre Friday and Saturday markets and will make a swift decision on those stalls we control. We are asking other stall space owners to consider their position.
We are also considering the closure of Castle Grounds and Severn Park. We are monitoring these carefully and if we observe that advice is not being followed we will not hesitate to act.
We make no apology for repeating the message to our residents and to visitors, which could not be clearer - heed Government advice, stay at home as far as possible, stay 2 metres apart, wash your hands.
Please everyone, STAY SAFE and keep others safe too.
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A message from the Mayor
Posted Thursday March 19th, 2020, 4:09 pm
"The Town Clerk has made it clear the steps that the Town Council are taking to observe Government advice and to provide support to volunteers etc.
The intention is of course to try to maintain as full a service as possible while protecting our staff and customers. Sensibly normal Council meetings have been suspended, especially as a significant proportion of Councillors should be self-isolating but a "virtual council" has been set up to assist Council staff in major decisions.
I would encourage as many as possible to join in the volunteer groups that will be providing help to the vulnerable and at-risk groups.
I would also mention our local businesses. Much publicity has been given to the panic buying in supermarkets, but I would ask that residents have regard to the many small businesses we have in the town that may be in a critical situation. Do please consider trying to support these businesses wherever you can safely do so, otherwise they may not survive until the end of this difficult period."
Councillor Ron Whittle OBE
Town Mayor
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The Grove and Lodge Farm Residents Consultation Evening
Posted Thursday March 19th, 2020, 3:50 pm
Regrettably, the consultation evening at the St Mary’s Bluecoat Primary School planned for the evening of the 2nd of April has been postponed until further notice. The consultation was aimed at residents regarding proposals to enhance an area of woodland and open space to the west of Bridgnorth; known as ‘The Gorse’, which is situated just off Lodge Lane.
The following invitation was hand delivered to residents in the local area.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Posted Thursday March 19th, 2020, 8:58 am
Bridgnorth Town Council is acutely aware of the threat and impact of the coronavirus and has met to discuss what it might best do to support the community and maintain as many of our services as possible.
We are currently working with a number of volunteer groups that are keen to provide support and assistance to vulnerable and concerned residents. We are looking to provide those groups with guidance and practical help where appropriate as well as ensure that they are legitimate.
Our initial thoughts are not to join forces with any one particular group as it is likely that a couple of groups providing similar services might be preferable and of course different groups might offer different things (some emotional support, some practical help with shopping, some with medical information). We are keen to speak with as many groups, (leaders and co-ordinators) as possible be they longstanding community groups or newly forming self-help groups in order that we can signpost people effectively.
We will look to update our website with details of organisations that can help and how.
If you are a group that needs help maybe we can help?
With regard to specific medical and social distancing advice we are primarily being led by advice coming from central government and ask people and businesses to respond to the emergency with due regard to the advice that best fits your circumstances.
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Having considered government advice, Bridgnorth Town Council has already made a number of decisions including:
- The closing of our 2 community buildings – The Castle Hall in West Castle Street and the Low Town Community Centre in Severn Street until further notice (we will review the decision regularly). It is our intention that all bookings that have paid will be refunded before the end of April.
- Closing the Town Hall (we will honour weddings and other civil ceremonies already booked however subject to government advice at the time there might be some limitations or precautions to take).
- The Carnival scheduled for the 28th June 2020 has been cancelled.
- Civic Sunday scheduled for 17th May has been postponed.
- Scheduled Town Council meetings have been temporarily suspended and will remain under review.
- The Annual Town Meeting scheduled for Thursday 26th March at the Castle Hall has been cancelled.
- We have closed the Town Council offices in St Leonards Close to members of the public however, there will be at least one member of staff in to handle enquiries; you can contact us by telephone 01746 762231 or by e-mail: [email protected] (we are looking to have some staff work from home to reduce the risk of the entire work force being absent at the same time).
- The public toilets will remain open
- The Castle Grounds will remain open
- The Severn Park will remain open.
- Cemetery services will continue as normal.
We will look to keep you updated regarding local initiatives as we become aware.
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Postponement of Annual Town Meeting
Posted Monday March 16th, 2020, 10:16 am
Due to the ongoing concerns regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for Thursday 26th March has been postponed. A new date will be arranged in due course.
For the latest Government advice on Coronavirus, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
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Flooding in Bridgnorth
Posted Wednesday February 19th, 2020, 11:45 am
Bridgnorth Town Council has been working closely with the local incident commander in Bridgnorth and the Major Incident Team located in Shrewsbury who are coordinating responses and activities due to flooding in the town. The advice for those that have seen their homes flooded or at serious risk of being flooded is to evacuate (do not go upstairs).
For the latest information on flood warnings, please visit https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/target-area/031FWFSE290
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Severn Valley Railway Footbridge Closure
Posted Monday February 3rd, 2020, 1:31 pm
Bridgnorth Severn Valley Railway Footbridge is closed for up to five weeks from Monday 3 February 2020, to enable permanent repairs to be undertaken to replace the holding down bolt anchorages that failed in January 2018 on the station side abutment.
A temporary repair was carried out in early 2018 which allowed the footbridge to remain open to ensure minimal disruption to the Severn Valley Railway tourist attraction and surrounding businesses until permanent repairs were programmed.
The footbridge, which carries pedestrians from New Road to the Severn Valley rail station, must be closed while the works are carried out, so that temporary counterweights can be placed on the bridge, to ensure the footbridge remains stable during construction works to replace the damaged holding down bolts.
During the closure, alternative pedestrian routes will be signed to the Severn Valley Railway car park on the B4373 Hollybush Road, when the station is in use.
The works are being undertaken by R&C Williams, with supervision provided by term consultant WSP.
Source: Shropshire Council https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2020/02/bridgnorth-severn-valley-footbridge/
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VE Day Celebrations – Grant Funding Available
Posted Wednesday January 29th, 2020, 4:08 pm
Bridgnorth Town Council have up to £2,000 of grant funding available to Bridgnorth community groups and organisations that seek to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE Day on or around 8th May 2020.
This funding could contribute towards an event that you may wish to hold; be it a 1940s Dance, Street Party or educational event.
To apply, please send a letter of interest explaining how much money you require, what you would spend the money on, the type of event and when you propose to hold it. Applications will be accepted for events taking place from 8th May - 10th May 2020.
The deadline for letters of interest is 28th February 2020, with successful applicants being notified by 9th March 2020.
An example letter of interest can be found below:
EXAMPLE - Letter of Expression of Interest
The Award Agreement and Terms and Conditions can be found below:
Award Agreement and Terms & Conditions
