Hello everyone
I hope that everyone is keeping well and enjoying the autumn sunshine for walks. The autumn colours are really lovely – but the stronger winds will come soon and blow the leaves off the trees. Our little ones have been busy planting bulbs for some spring colour. Last year, for the first time, I did a ‘bulb lasagne’, although I did not know that planting a whole range of bulbs in one large tub had a name! So here is a picture of us hard at work creating them for Spring 2021. We are looking forward to a brighter spring – bulbs and all!
Support available
As the restrictions begin to tighten again, the support group volunteers are still here to help anyone that needs some shopping or deliveries and so please contact us in the usual way. Email [email protected] Facebook message @Kettinsparishhall or call John 01828 628169 or Sarah 01828 627412 or Liz 077643 41353. If you are self isolating, for whatever reason, or just need someone to collect groceries, please get in contact. Two new support services are also available.
Self Isolation Support Grants (SISG)
If you are required to self-isolate at the request of NHS Test & Protect, on or after 28th September AND your income is reduced as a result of you not being able to WORK; then you could be eligible for SISG. For more information, including the online application form and eligibility criteria, please see the link below;
https://www.pkc.gov.uk/selfisolationsupportgrants
National Assistance helpline
We recognise that this is a challenging time and that some people will need extra support to access essentials such as food and medicine, this includes those who are self-isolating to stop the spread of Coronavirus. If you need support, and can’t get this from friends or family, the National Assistance Helpline is there to help and can be reached on 0800 111 4000. You can pass this number on to someone you are supporting or call on their behalf Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm.
Please remember this helpline is dedicated to helping those who cannot leave their home and who cannot get help online. Further advice and support available from – https://ready.scot/coronavirus
Guild update
7th October 2020 from Evelyn Alexander
The Guild Newsletter goes out to all Guild members and those that are interested in it or attending the meetings (first Wednesday of the month in the winter months) . The range of topics covered is excellent and it is open to members and non-members, women and men. Obviously this year the meetings are not being held. This is Evelyn’s news and update:
Speaking of Guild Meetings, it has not escaped my notice that as I write this e-mail we should all have been at our first meeting of our 2020/21 Programme. A meeting when we would all have been together for an enjoyable evening of sharing happy exchanges of our experiences over summer; listening to a speaker; and sharing a cup of tea and snack together. Such different times in which we find ourselves for now! And all that in the context of increased restrictions announced only this afternoon. I don’t think that any of us could have imagined the extent to which Covid 19 could have curtailed our Guild activities when we all first set into “Lockdown” back on 23 March. We have no option but to simply adapt to such ever changing circumstances and accept them for what they are. You must all stay safe!
The Guild raise funds for projects in the UK as well as the rest of the world. Evelyn writes on Seema’s Project.
The Guild News feature on Seema’s Project which is one of the Projects that Kettins, Ardler & Meigle Guild opted to support during the current 3 year Guild Project Programme. Some of you will be aware that we have already sent them donations from our funds as well as a donation from a specific fund raising event – a wreath making class just before Christmas two years ago where all the funds raised on the day were sent to Seema’s Project. It is so sad to read of the horrific circumstances in which these girls in Pune find themselves through no fault of their own. It is equally pleasing to read about the extent to which Seema and those involved in the project can change the lives of some of them to enable them to have a much better life than that apparently destined for them. We just have to hope that there are others (as well as Seema) going the Extra Mile in many of the other cities across India where it is virtually certain that similar desperately poor conditions will almost without doubt exist. You will also recall that only in January of this year at our meeting, we welcomed Avril Duncan to speak to us and give us an insight into the foundation and work of the Charity. People like Seema certainly go the Extra Mile! Follow the link for more information.
If you are interested in hearing more about the local Guild, then please pass on your name and I will let Evelyn know.
Many thanks to Evelyn for writing a weekly newsletter.
Hub update – defibrillator
The community raised funds for a local Defibrillator and the good news is that this is now active and installed at the new Kettins Community Hub.
Russell Miller and John Smith at the Defibrillator.
Tablets – offer
This Scheme is being run through the Wellmeadow Hub, Blairgowrie but we can access it. It is an offer of a tablet to let you access the internet and support to help you learn how to use it. If you want to find out more then contact Ashleigh, or drop an email to [email protected] and Susan can have a chat with you.
Recipes and Apple Crumbles
At this time of year the apples are plentiful and this year there has been an abundance of brambles too. So it has been apple and bramble pies and crumbles. You don’t need a recipe from me for them! Hazel Arundel has gone one step further and made all her spare apples (and those donated by other people too) into lovely apple crumbles and distributed them around the area. They were ready to serve, along with custard , or to be frozen for a treat later on. Many thanks to Hazel for her work and her care in ensuring that all those that received them had full instructions too!
Please stay safe and please get in contact if you need any support or information. If you have any news that you want to share, please let me know and I can include it in the next news update.
Susan