PORTHCAWL

Send Your News To: 42 Suffolk Place, Porthcawl, CF36 3EB. 01656 451844 davidn-w@homecall.co.uk

Porthcawl News: A rather bleak column this week I’m afraid; not only for Porthcawl but also for the whole of the borough: with proposed events and activities cancelled and most of us having to self isolate.

Coronavirus 1: Strange that they have named this horrendous viral pandemic after the once famous Welsh fizzy drink made by Thomas and Evans in Porth back in the seventies and eighties.

I was reading an article the other day about the Spanish Flu Epidemic in 1918 when 200,000 people died in this country and strange to think, there are still quite a few people still alive in Porthcawl who lived through those harsh times as children (contrary to public belief I am not in that bracket!: my father was and he lost a younger brother and had a sister who never really got over it.) but at that time it only affected those in the 20-40 age bracket and when you consider that number, bear in mind that Spanish Flu followed on directly after the First World War. This current pandemic appears to put the over 60s at most risk.

So most of us are to be stuck at home for some time - a situation which we will find completely alien to our normal way of life. What to do? Watch television all day? An anathema! What’s left –switch over to the radio or pick up a good book and read it- I know the library is shut; but surely everybody must have some books in the house: think of something you have always intended doing. Go back to long forgotten hobbies - I for one haven’t done any watercolour painting for years.

Write letters rather than emails, start the book you were always going to write, or pick up the phone and ring old friends or relatives you haven’t spoken to for years - perhaps Great Aunt Maud who you fell out with 20 years ago. Perhaps this is the time to realise that life is much too short to bear grudges.

Coronavirus 2: On a more serious note . A group called the Porthcawl Covid 19 Strategy Group has been formed here in Porthcawl with the intention of making life easier for the citizens of the town. The strategy group has been set up and they are implementing a community strategy for Porthcawl. Ward managers have been appointed, volunteers have been registered and instructed, and they have set up a Facebook page ‘Porthcawl Covid 19 Strategy Group’ as well as a website https:// porthcawlc19s.weebly. com

Leaflets are being delivered to every household giving full information.

The Strategy Group has appointed Ward Managers to coordinate the response (See leaflet for information on their names and contact numbers) and they have registered nearly 150 volunteers.

The strategy group has involved the Police, Portway Surgery, Pharmacies, Social Services and local groups and has produced guidance documents to assist the volunteers and Ward Managers.

If you are self isolating because of Covid 19 then they can help with shopping and collection of medicines. They can allocate a phone ‘Buddy’ to arrange for a friendly phone call if you are on your own. The friendly buddy will contact you and will have a password that you may ask for, prior to any conversation. The Pharmacy/ food volunteers will deliver the item to your door – knock your door and will back off to a distance of 3m and wait until you open the door and collect the items.

The volunteers will not under any circumstances ask to: enter your home; request personal information - full name, date of birth etc;: Request money or credit card details. And don’t forget the website and facebook addresses.

https://porthcawlc19s. weebly.com and ‘Porthcawl Covid 19 Strategy Group’.

Any further advice?. Think of others when you do your shopping and thank heavens we didn’t have snow as well!

Thank You To The NHS:

I had an email when

I was trying to write this column which highlighted the fact that during these unprecedented times we need to show that we are grateful to our NHS.

If you agree, then please join with others in the Porthcawl area on Thursday, March 26 at 8pm in a big SHOUTOUT from front doors, gardens, windows, living rooms, cars etc indeed wherever you are at 8pm to show our appreciation to all NHS staff whether they be doctors, GPs, nurses, ambulance staff, responders, carers or general staff for their ongoing hard work in the fight against this virus.

Tell your friends and neighbours so that we make sure that the word spreads and reaches everyone in the town.