Facebook feed now on the web site

Roadmap out of lockdown document
(Posted 01/03/21)

Active Essex Newsletter - The Pulse
We have received the latest Active Essex Newsletter – click on the button to download and view.
(Posted 01/03/21)
Essex Energy Efficiency Grant Funding
(Posted 12/02/21
RCCE - Essex Warbler (February edition)
(Posted 05/02/21)
Mosaics installed at the War Memorial
The wonderful mosaics created by Vicky Moriarty have been installed at the War Memorial.



COVID-19 Case Data Week Ending 10th January
(Posted 15/01/21)
COVID-19 Vaccination Scams - Further Info
COVID-19 Vaccination Scams.

All Saints fitness equipment area closed.
RCCE - Essex Warbler (December edition)
(Posted 30/11/20)
Explore Essex - Essex Explorer (Autumn / Winter edition)
(Posted 27/11/20)
ECC - Your Essex (November edition)
(Posted 20/11/20)
Post Office services returning to Ashdon.
(Posted 09/11/20)
Village Hall - defibrillator unit
(Posted 07/11/20)
Superfast Essex Programme Update
Superfast Essex have released an update detailing progress on their installation programme.
(Posted 23/10/20)
Walden Local Newspaper comes to Ashdon
Good News! Hot off the Press – the Walden Local comes to Ashdon.
We are delighted to announce that the Walden Local will now be available every Wednesday from outside the Village Hall and from the “telephone box” at Steventon End.
(Posted 16/10/20)
Get in touch if you cannot pay Council Tax
(Posted 13/10/20)
Green Homes Grants.
(Posted 09/10/20)
County Councillors Report for October 2020
Please click on the button for the document..
(Posted 29/09/20).
Victim Support Initiative
A message from Councillor Colin Day (Uttlesford District Council).
In my capacity as Chair of the Uttlesford Community Safety Partnership Committee I am forwarding the attachment to you as it carries the full support of this committee. This essentially is a card outlining details of a Victim Support initiative entitled “My support space” which is for people aged 16 and over who have been affected by crime and or traumatic events and feel able to cope, but who may need help to move forward.
The Parish Council have added this card to the website and you can access it by clicking the button below.
(Posted 18/09/20).
Weekly pop up fresh fruit and veg stall.
A fresh Fruit & Veg stall will be opening in the Rose and Crown Car Park every Wednesday morning from 08:30-10:00.
The stall will only accept cash at this time (they plan to accept card payments in the future), but they do accept BACS for deliveries. They will offer free deliveries to local addresses on the day.
(Posted 09/09/20).

Oyster Magazine - the voice of rural Essex
Please click on this link for the latest online edition of Oyster Magazine..
(Posted 05/09/20).
Essex County Council Home to School Transport : Planning for September 2020
Open Letter from Essex County Council
An open letter to Essex parent and carers ahead of schools opening full time from 2 September
From:
Cllr David Finch, Leader Essex County Council
Cllr Ray Gooding, Cabinet Member for Education
Clare Kershaw, Essex County Council’s Director of Education
Dr Mike Gogarty, Essex County Council’s Director of Wellbeing, Public Health and Communities
Dear parents and carers of Essex school children,
Last month marked the end to an extraordinary school year. Schools and colleges had to respond to necessary measures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, meaning they closed to the majority of pupils on 23 March. June then saw the return of some pupils, largely on a part-time basis. Throughout, we have been incredibly proud of Essex’s response. Many parents and carers have had to provide childcare and assist with education on top of their work commitments, teachers and education staff have had to deal with the logistical issues associated with ensuring those attending settings were kept safe, and pupils have experienced disruption to their routine, education, exams and social interactions. We do not underestimate the sacrifices that have been made, the uncertainty that’s been felt, and the hard work that’s gone into Essex’s response to this crisis.
The government has said education settings can return to full-time opening for all students from the beginning of September. This is possible because the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community has decreased since settings restricted opening in March, NHS Test and Trace is now up and running, and settings have a better understanding of the measures that need to be in place to create safer environments. While there will still be risks as long as COVID-19 remains in the community, scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 presents a lower risk to children than adults of becoming severely ill, and that there is no evidence that children transmit the disease any more than adults.
In preparation for wider opening, we ask that parents and carers read the government’s guidance on what parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term and speak to their children about the important role we must all play in reducing the spread of the virus. Essex schools and colleges have been communicating their individual plans for September with their parent communities; it’s crucial we support our county’s schools and colleges by understanding and adhering to the protective measures they put in place.
Outside school and college, and as a wider population, we must all remain vigilant and observe social distancing measures. It is vital we all play our part if we are to ensure we avoid further restrictions that will impact society.
Essex County Council (ECC) has been working with schools, colleges and partners to prepare for this return, and measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools and colleges will be in place in September. These may include pupils being kept in class or year group-sized bubbles, older pupils being asked to socially distance where possible, the staggering of start, end, break and lunch times, and regular hand-washing. If children, or anyone they live with, have coronavirus symptoms, they must not attend their school or college and you will be asked to collect your child if they are displaying symptoms whilst at school or college. Remote education will be provided for pupils self-isolating.
You will also note the recent change in the government’s advice regarding the wearing of face coverings for children over the age of 12. Schools and colleges have the discretion to advise on the wearing of face coverings in communal areas and have assessed this need as part of their risk assessment. Your school or college will advise you on the decisions it has taken. It is only compulsory to wear face coverings in schools where a local lockdown is in place. This is currently not the case in Essex but please do talk to your school or college about any concerns you have regarding face coverings.
It is recognised that the disruption to children’s education since partial school closures in March has the potential to have a long-lasting impact. It is therefore vital that all children and young people are supported to catch up on any lost learning and to return to the structure and routine of school and college as soon as possible, as we know that schools and colleges play a crucial role in providing for children’s educational, social and emotional developmental needs. We further recognise the challenge placed upon parents needing to home educate their children during this time. It is therefore vitally important that every child returns to school and college when they fully open from 2 September 2020.
However, we also recognise the significant impact that COVID-19 has had on many families’ lives, and that some families will need more support during this time. We will therefore be asking all schools and colleges to work with families who are anxious about their child returning to the classroom to understand the individual circumstances and the concerns they have. All schools and colleges have been required to complete a risk assessment to outline the protective measures that they have put in place to make their setting COVID safe – it is therefore important for parents who are anxious to talk to their child’s education setting to discuss the measures they have put in place and any further support that may be required.
The government has made it clear that attendance will be mandatory for pupils of compulsory school age from September. If any parents are still not sending their child back to school after the school has made contact to explain their risk assessment and measures that are in place, or if levels of attendance were low prior to the lockdown, then it remains within the headteacher’s discretion to request that we, ECC, issue a targeted penalty notice in line with our policy on attendance. We will want to see clear evidence of the support the school has offered to the family to help their child to attend before we agree to the school’s penalty notice request, and will take each case on an individual basis.
Parents and guardians of eligible students who receive transport to their place of education should have now received a letter outlining transport arrangements and protective measures in place for the new school year. We have been working with transport providers to ensure passengers can travel safely.
Students and parents who can travel to school or college safely by walking or cycling are recommended to do so. To help with this, a new dedicated Getting to School section has been launched on ECC’s Stop.Swap.GO! website. It includes maps and information on cycling and walking routes to schools and colleges in Essex, as well as suggested drop-off zones away from the school gate to reduce congestion. These are being developed for schools in Essex’s most congested areas, with more suggestions being added soon. The aim is to help families develop a sustainable and active travel option for the school run.
We are sharing advice, resources and information about local organisations that can help children to prepare to go back to school with confidence as part of our Every Family Matters campaign. Find out more on the Staying Well: Children and Families page on our website.
Finally we would like to wish all young people, their parents and families, and school staff our best wishes for a safe and successful start to the autumn term. We know that whether you are starting a new school for the first time, returning after a long period away from your school setting, or returning from the summer break, the start of a new school term is always an exciting but anxious time – we know this year there will be more nerves than usual, but have confidence in our school leaders and staff that they will welcome you back with warmth, support and understanding.
(Posted 26/08/20).
The Rose & Crown
(Posted 14/07/20).

The Rose & Crown
The Parish Council was saddened to learn that Hans and Justine and family are to depart the Rose & Crown at the end of this month.
We know that they will be greatly missed by all their friends and customers, and we should like to join their many well-wishers in thanking them for serving, and being part of, the village community, over these past few years.
Hans and Justine – our very best wishes go with you all for every success in the future.
Ashdon Parish Council
(Posted 13/07/20).

Outdoor gym and recreation grounds re-open.
Parish Council Recreation Facilities now open.
The Parish Council are pleased to announce that following government advice and carrying out our own assessment the villages recreation facilities are now open.
There is explanatory signage (see below) displayed stating the precautions that users need to observe and we request that users follow these precautions as a matter of urgency.
(Posted 07/07/20)

Garden Waste Skip Service Returns
There will be 2 metre strict social distancing rules in place which must be adhered to by residents and operators will only allow one vehicle to unload at any time. Operators will not assist any residents with unloading the vehicles to reduce the risk of transferring COVID-19.
Residents using the service will need to be mindful that there will inevitably be delays when they are visiting the site and to be patient.
Ashdon Residents – please note that the next scheduled skip for us is the 6th June and the timings and full schedule can be found on the on the Parish Services page of this web site.
(Posted 27/05/20)
Ashdon Primary School Lottery
Today (May 10th) would have been the biggest fundraiser for the school, the 10K run, losing this income will have a massive impact on our school and our children, as a result, the PTA have been looking at alternative ways to raise money for the school, and as such have launched a school lottery which is run by yourschoollottery.co.uk.
The first draw is this coming Saturday, 16th May with a guaranteed winner that is someone who is supporting the school plus the possibility of winning the national prize of £25,000. (Posted 10/05/20).
Village Magazine editorial team request

Lifeline Scam Alert
Please see below:
If you have any concerns about Lifeline or anyone calling on behalf of the council you should contact us on 01799 510510 or email
Steps to protect yourself
Essex Police has useful tips on how to protect yourself against bogus callers here
https://www.essex.police.uk/…/p…/door-to-door-courier-fraud/
(Posted 31/03/20)
Uttlesford CAB Update
The team at Uttlesford Frontline have put together some useful factsheets, which you may like to share with others in your community. The first gives information about employment and consumer rights as well as help available if people are worried about a reduction in their income.
The second gives details of local help and support for those that are housebound and self-isolating. Both are regularly updated.
Both can be downloaded by going to www.uttlesfordfrontline.org.uk and searching the library of services for ‘covid’.
(Posted 26/03/20).
Ashdon Village Hall Closed:
Following UK government advice, the Village Hall in Ashdon is closed until further notice.
(Posted 24/03/20).
Fraud Alert
Report fraud or attempted fraud by contacting Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Good morning,
I have been informed by Trading Standards that this week there have been a number of reports across the county of people impersonating Trading Standards Officers. When questioned or asked to provide ID, they were unable to do so.
These fraudsters also appear to be targeting those who have already fallen victim to rogue traders and therefore these may be ‘follow up’ attempts to obtain even more money from vulnerable customers.
Trading Standards Officers will always carry identification and can be verified by calling the national consumer helpline on 03454 040506. If unsure, always Take Five and confirm their identity.
If this has happened to you previously, please report to Action Fraud.
If a suspect is still at your address or you believe yourself to be at risk of harm, please dial 999.
Kind regards
Angi Greneski
Community Safety Officer
Uttlesford District Council
(Posted 16/03/20)