Historic England: Picturing Lockdown.
 
Historic England wants to record our collective experience in these extraordinary times, spark a conversation about identity and its connection to history and place, and help people navigate their way through with reflection, expression and creativity.
 
For one week, starting Wednesday 29 April, EH are asking artists and members of the public to submit photos to express their feelings and record their experience of one week in lock down. From rainbows in windows to star jumps on balconies, show us what lockdown means to you.
 
They are also commissioning ten artists who will give them five pictures across the week. These 50 images will be paired with 50 of the most inspiring, evocative and informative, and be held in our Archive as a permanent record of this historic time.
 
You can find more on the website here: https://historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/picturing-lockdown/

The picture below  is the Great Brook at 6.36am on 23 April 2020 by E Anstee.

Residents are being urged to avoid contaminating their recycling bins with ordinary waste.
This week a growing number of collections have been mixed with a variety of non-recyclable items such as textiles, food and nappies.

It means the contamination has to be painstakingly removed before being sent off to be incinerated – a process that can cost thousands of pounds.
Cllr Norman MacRae, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:  “We understand that with most residents at home, more waste is being generated but removing it is a costly and potentially hazardous process, particularly at this time.
“Please ensure your waste is put in the correct bin and store any excess recycling if necessary. If it is contaminated it may not be collected making the situation worse.”
Waste crews are instructed to check bins and leave a tag if they are contaminated asking the resident to re-sort it.
For a reminder of which bins to use see:
https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/what-to-put-in-your-bin/

The bulky waste service for residents is being started again to help residents dispose of larger items.
While it is still subject to some restrictions, residents will still be able to arrange for the collection of up to three items per household including furniture, white goods and large electrical items.

Cllr Norman MacRae, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “I am delighted to see this service starting again. We have recognised the inconvenience that the suspension of the bulky waste collection has caused to residents.   
“I am sure residents will appreciate the hard work and determination of our officers and our contractor, Ubico, to facilitate this.  We have listened to concerns around fly-tipping and acted accordingly.”
The bulky waste teams will be operating to strict Government guidelines on social distancing.
Currently, no beds, mattresses, sofas or carpets will be collected but the service is subject to ongoing review.
For more information and to book a collection, see:
https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/bins-and-recycling/getting-rid-of-large-items/
Contact InformationWest Oxfordshire District Council Communications Team01993 861616
[email protected]

West Oxfordshire District Council has seen a major increase in complaints about bonfires in the last few weeks and is calling on residents to be more considerate of those with respiratory conditions and people in self-isolation.
Cllr Norman MacRae, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “These are difficult and challenging times for us all whether you are adjusting to life and work at home, isolating yourself or looking after loved ones.

“Most of us are spending more time at home and while having bonfires can be tempting, they carry risks for vulnerable members of our communities. Bonfires cause issues for your neighbours, especially those with respiratory problems, people who are shielding themselves from COVID-19 or anyone who may have contracted the virus.
“COVID-19 attacks the respiratory system so I would ask residents to please refrain from lighting fires which may affect vulnerable people while lockdown continues.”
Burning doesn’t just affect the vulnerable. Bonfires and drifting smoke are a nuisance for neighbours wanting to spend time in their gardens or keep windows open.
Bonfires can also get out of hand and take up the valuable time and resources of the fire service which may put others at risk during the pandemic.
Cllr MacRae added: “Please be considerate of your neighbours and use alternatives such as composting or storing any waste until government restrictions are lifted. We know this isn't an ideal solution for everyone but these are not ideal times. You can put most of your garden waste to use - a successful compost heap needs lots of brown material as well as green. Don’t burn it, use prunings and dry material to improve your compost heap.”
Environmental and Regulatory Services are required to investigate bonfire complaints whilst following guidance and procedures for social distancing. If considered a waste offence or statutory nuisance, it may result in enforcement action and fines.
To stay up-to-date on the Council’s waste and recycling services, please see our Coronavirus Bins and Recycling page. 
Contact InformationWest Oxfordshire District Council Communications Team01993 861616
[email protected]

We are passionate about supporting our communities and those who need us most.
At the risk of some duplication for those of you who already use our free priority services and financial help schemes, here is our official Covid 19 update:

“Dear friends and partners,

 These are difficult times for all of us, and now it’s even more important we do what we can to support the most vulnerable.

We would like to inform people in your communities about our free priority services register. We invite our customers to share their individual needs with us, so we can tailor our communications with them, improve their resilience and prioritise how we help them if their water stops. You can find out more about our service, here.
 Of course, we work hard to try and ensure water never stops flowing but from time to time, things can go wrong. In these events, we try to deliver bottled water to people with water-dependent medical conditions (i.e. at-home dialysis) and to those with mobility issues, first of all.

 We understand a huge number of people are self-isolating because of the coronavirus at the moment, and although we’d love to be able to deliver water to every home, it’s sadly not possible. We recommend that anyone at-risk and/or self-isolating who needs water supplying to them reaches out to friends, family members or neighbours to help. If they have a pre-existing health condition or mobility issue, or nobody can deliver water along with their groceries, they should join our register and we’ll always try to help.

 If you would like more details on the priority services and how we can support your communities’ resilience please email [email protected].

 Thank you and please take care.

The Chief Constable said: “With Easter coming this weekend and the weather forecast to be fine, it is vitally important that the public continue to adhere to the Government restrictions. I appreciate that this is a time of year when we would usually be enjoying time with our families and friends, however these are unprecedented times and we must all do our part to protect each other and the vital services of the NHS.

“Thank you to the residents of the Thames Valley for complying with the Government’s measures. They are in place to protect us all, and I appreciate the effort that all of you are making to stay indoors and social distance when you have to leave the house for an essential reason.

“I know these restrictions will now be well-known by now, but let me remind you all that you can only leave your home to shop for basic necessities, for one form of exercise per day, for a medical or care need, and to travel to and from work, but only where you cannot work from home. If you are outside for these essential activities please ensure you are at least two meters from anyone who you do not live with.

“Please do not be tempted to go out for any other reason.

“As usual, our officers will be patrolling our communities during Easter. We will be engaging with the public to ensure they are complying with the Government directives. Where there is any misunderstanding about the measures, we will explain and encourage the public to follow the guidelines. However, when necessary we will enforce the new powers given to us by Parliament.

“Our frontline officers and staff have been given personal protection equipment (PPE) to use. You may therefore see our officers wearing gloves and masks when they are out this weekend, if they are not able to keep the required distance with the public. This is for your safety and theirs.

“This is an unprecedented public health emergency and an extraordinary national effort is required to fight this virus. I am proud that the public and my staff have been working together to help save lives. I thank you all and I wish you all a very happy Easter."

Below are copies of the letter from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson , that has been sent ot all  households in the United Kingdom and the lastest leaflet issued by the UK Government and Public Health England.