Jackie’s County Corner

Happy New Year! After nearly two tumultuous years of the pandemic, it seems especially relevant that a new year finds us all vowing to lead healthier lives. I hope you feel well and strong as you read this today.

This month’s County Corner includes healthy options for youwithout going to the gym…

There are a wealth of exercise options that you can follow in your own home, one of which is to keep moving, even if you have arthritis.

‘Let’s move with Leon’ is a programme on www.VersusArthritis.org

Hampshire’s Public Health team is offering a scheme for those of us whose BMI has reached 28. (to calculate your BMI go to www.shapeup4lifehampshire.co.uk)

This is a new free Public Health programme (online or in person) to incentivise us to change our eating habits not just for now, but for life. Go to www.hants.gov.uk and search ‘healthy weight programme’ or call 023 8218 0287

The County Council has received £7m funds from the Department for Work and Pensions to distribute over the winter for food, fuel and utility/ heating costs. 50% of the funds are for families, the remainder for other vulnerable households. Parents of children can apply through schools and colleges.

Citizens Advice are able to channel this money to residents. I urge you to ask anyone who needs help to contact Citizens Advice direct 0808 278 7861, or refer to me if you wish.

You can also use a Community

Pantry whatever your circumstances, giving you at least £15 food when you purchase a £5 voucher. Open Mon—Thurs, 10-2pm, delivery service available. For more details go to www.unit-12.org, call/text 07547 932511

Children’s Matters: School staff are amazing! I have been visiting schools in my division to thank schools for everything they are doing and to talk about the impact of the last two years on children.

The variants of Covid 19 risk normal school life again, and I’m pleased to see the Children’s Commissioner, Rachael de Souza condemning the idea that we could close schools again.

Ofsted resumed inspections in the Autumn Term and it was pleasing to see two local schools being recognised as ‘good’. Don’t forget that the last date to apply for an Autumn 2022 primary school place is 15th January 2022: forms online or from your local school.

Are you waiting for gigabit broadband?

Several valiant organisers in my division set up Community Fibre Partnerships in 2020/2021 to apply for faster broadband from Openreach through the gigabit scheme. The Department of Culture Media and Sport has been overwhelmed by interest (which is no surprise!) and a complicated picture of delays is appearing. Contact me direct or search ‘broadband’

Micheldever & Stratton Pre School

The new term has got off to a great start at pre-school. We have been excited to celebrate our All Hallows Eve Party, our Bonfire Night and even more exciting was our very first ever socially distanced Art Exhibition; what talented little artists we have. It was so nice to see all our parents come and view their children’s amazing work. Everyone has loved making a real fire and cooking some hot chocolate at our weekly Forest School. It is such an amazing time to be in the woods, especially as the weather changes and the colder weather brings a new perspective on the environment and how the children view the world around them. This term we are looking forward to lots of exciting activities at pre-school. We are really excited that our Christmas Elf Elvis has visited us. He certainly knows how to play some tricks, but they are all good fun. We also were extremely fortunate and grateful to Burcot Farm Christmas Trees. They very kindly donated a tree to us. We are so grateful. The children thoroughly enjoyed decorating it. Their trees are beautiful, and Bill and his team were really kind, so a massive thank you to them. We are also looking forward to our Nativity, our Christmas Family Dinner and hoping that a very special visitor will visit us and bring us an early Christmas present. We still have some availability. So if you would like to join our small community run pre-school, where your child is a member of our family and not just a number, then do contact our leader, Mrs Nicola Rae. We’ll happily show you what we can offer you and your little ones.

Opening hours:

Monday & Friday 9am - 12:30pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am - 3pm leader.micheldeverpreschool@gmail.com www.micheldeverpreschool.org.uk

Facebook: @micheldeverpreschool

Marcus Mann