Christmas lunch off the menu in council’s schools
ACOUNCIL has cancelled school Christmas lunch in all its schools, claiming there are not enough staff to run the traditional festive end-ofterm meal.
Bridgend council admitted it expected take-up among pupils would be high for Christmas lunch but it can’t go ahead.
A spokesman said: “Unfortunately, due to limited staffing available to the local authority to support the likely increased take-up of the offer of a Christmas lunch, there will be no dedicated Christmas lunches provided in schools. However, some food will have a ‘festive theme’.”
Meanwhile, parents have been told they cannot go in to schools to see Christmas performances or attend festive events for a second year, due to Covid-19.
The Welsh Government and local authorities have left it up to schools to decide, based on local risk assessments, but have warned them to follow advice based on the local situation with the virus. Some are recommending that Christmas concerts are held virtually.
Merthyr council has asked all its schools not to hold Christmas concerts that bring parents in.
Carmarthenshire council said it has “strongly discouraged” schools allowing parents on site for Christmas performances, including outdoor carol concerts.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council has “strongly recommended” that schools hold Christmas events virtually and Powys council said it has given the same advice.
One angry mother, whose children attend a primary in RCT, said she did not understand why people can go to the cinema, pubs and sporting events, but not school concerts with safety measures in place.
Faye Mortlock, who has four children aged from six to 11 in Years 2, 4 and 6, said her youngest daughter is particularly upset that her parents can’t come to her school Christmas concert for a second year.
She did not want to name their school, but said parents have been asked to give permission for concerts to be filmed so that parents can watch them on screen.
“Our primary have decided that we can’t go and watch again this year,” said Ms Mortlock.
“My daughter is heartbroken I can’t watch again, it’s her last infant concert. Another childhood rite of passage that she’s missed.
“I’m so sad, though, because our school was always so proactive and keen for the return to normal prior to the summer.”
In updated advice, the Welsh Government says: “Local authorities, employers and schools must protect people from harm. This includes taking reasonable measures to protect staff, learners and others from Covid-19 within the setting.
“Any events – such as concerts, fairs and visits – should be risk-assessed, with consideration given to additional risks and control measures to be put in place.
“Where appropriate, information on the relevant arrangements should be communicated to those attending or taking part in these events in advance.”
Charles hospital in Merthyr Tydfil, where she was put in intensive care.
“When they took her into the hospital, the doctor phoned me and said she had the worst case of Covid they’d seen in Prince Charles Hospital since the pandemic started.
“She was put into a coma on the Tuesday afternoon and was in an induced coma for 11 days.
“At hospital, they did everything they could for her and wanted her to go to London to put her on a new drug, but nothing was working for her.
“After fighting, she had no more fight left in her.”
On November 5, Paula passed away at the hospital with Neil, Ashleigh and Paula’s father, Paul, by her side. Neil said: “My whole world has fallen apart as well as my daughters’. She’s left a massive whole in our lives. [My daughters] are devastated, they’re coping the best they can. The little one is only 10 and it hit her hard, she has nights where she cries and cries.”
He thanked the staff at Prince Charles Hospital for everything they did to try to save his wife.
He also thanked people from the local community who had rallied around to raise money for the family as well as showing them kindness and support.
Neil added: “I hear people saying they don’t believe in Covid, that it’s all a scam and a big joke. They should come and knock my door to see what me and my family are having to put up with.”