Sadly, we have to announce that Willingham Action Group, in discussion with the other groups who put on Feast events, have decided the situation with Covid-19 is too uncertain to allow us to plan and hold events this autumn. Most of our regular events would be difficult to put on while maintaining safety and social distancing. Should the situation change for the better in the spring some events may take place then. It’s obvious that residents have been following guidelines and keeping the village safe, all should be congratulated.

Willingham News Online

We are sad not to be able to produce and deliver paper copies of Willingham News this month because of Government restrictions, but glad that it’s available to read here. Please send us your contributions for the next and future issues. The deadline for contributions for the August issue it will be 8 August as we will revert to a printed version for September.

If you just click the mouse on the image of the August Willingham News – to the right or on the menu box above – it will automatically download a pdf version and you can scroll downwards through the August issue. You can email articles, anecdotes and photos to willinghamnews@gmail.com It would be great to hear from some of the children in the village too with stories and pictures.

Find out all about the past to the present history of the Gardening Club here

Willingham Action Group is branching out to encourage more sustainability in our community. As a start, we would like to invite you to take a pledge to reduce your consumption of plastics. We will be holding a draw just before Christmas of all the names we receive and are offering a prize of a hamper with a difference. Click here for more….

More on this topic can be seen on the Willingham Gardening Club page under the top heading of ‘About Willingham’ or by clicking here

Hello all Willingham gardening enthusiasts. Bearing in mind that the village Horticulture and Craft Show has had to be cancelled  this year, how about sharing all your gardening triumphs and failures with us with a view to a harvest flourish finale in September and October?  We would love to hear from you all, especially our young  budding gardeners.

You can email articles, anecdotes and photos to willinghamnews@gmail.com and your photos will be published in colour! It would be great to hear from some of the children in the village too with stories and pictures. We look forward to seeing photos of your best flowers and vegetables; what’s happening in your garden or allotment, and anything the children are doing, be it just growing something on a window sill in a plastic supermarket container.

Sadly, the Willingham Horticultural & Craft Show committee has decided to postpone this year’s Show due to the impracticality of maintaining the government guidance on social distancing within the confines of the Primary School halls, our usual venue. It is envisaged that the social distancing rules will be in place for some considerable time and we cannot risk the health of all those who help us run the Show and the exhibitors, many of whom fall into the high risk group of contacting the Covid-19 virus. The Show has been running in its present form since the mid-1980’s with the Willingham Gardening Club responsible for the organisation since 1992. Our committee is ably supported in the running of the Show by other village organisations and volunteer judges and stewards.

The Show committee would like to thank everyone who has supported the Show in one way or another over the years to keep this annual village event going.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to join us for the Show next year.

Stay Safe – Willingham Gardening Club

If you have, or know of, a swarm of bees that may cause problems the Willingham Bee Group will be happy to collect and remove swarms.

Please phone Steve on  07795 215071 for help.  This applies to Willingham and other nearby villages. There is no charge but if you wish to make a donation it will be gratefully accepted. For villages further afield please contact the CBKA website for help.

For those at greater risk and who should stay within their home here is information on what is happening in Willingham.

A group of volunteers have been working on the scheme for the village and have recruited people from various parts of Willingham to take telephone calls from those who can’t leave the house and are in need of food or medication – for medication see later. You should have received a leaflet through the letterbox with details of the phone number you should call for help with getting provisions and details of how the scheme will work.

Other volunteers will then get what you need to your front door. If you need a doctor’s appointment you can book online for a telephone consultation or phone for an appointment but please don’t go to the surgery if you think you may be suffering from Covid-19. If you need medication or repeat prescriptions then Willingham Pharmacy will deliver medicines to you only if the item is a controlled substance. For most people you can collect your prescription but if you can’t leave the house a volunteer will deliver it. The volunteer service will be available in a few days from now.

Please be aware that during this difficult time scammers can be even more active. The scams involve offers of money from the Government to help you, asking for donations to help fight the virus, offers to buy protective equipment, and much more. Please be very wary about communications you receive that are related to the current epidemic as thieves are using it as an excuse. Always check the authenticity of everything before you give your money.

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/coronavirus-related-fraud-reports