Having posted that we will run our last 2 clinics for this year on Saturday 3rd and 10th December, there has been such a low uptake of appointments that we can’t justify running a full day’s clinic this Saturday, 3rd December so we will only be offering a morning’s clinic, and then reviewing demand for the Saturday 10th December.
For any help or any advice on this, feel free to contact Steve Ellis at the church. Tele: 0114 2670 006 (answerphone 24/7).
St. Columba’s Church hosted a mop-up Covid vaccination clinic for the Children’s Hospital on Monday 14th February and another for the Primary Care Network on the morning of Wednesday 16th.
St Columba’s Church, Crosspool,
NHS England are funding necessary renovations to the wood block flooring in both the worship area and the hall, which have been severely affected during the year’s vaccination programme, partly due to the substantial footfall (over 50,000 vaccinations have been given on site), but mainly due to the requirement to sanitise all the wood flooring using chlorine solution after every day’s clinic (just short of 100 days). In terms of cost, it is worth pointing out that the renovation cost added to the total charges made by the church to the NHS for a year’s exclusive use of the site, still come to less than the Arena were charging for one month’s hire for the vaccination programme (this is not to knock the Arena which works on a commercial and larger scale than they do, but to put things in context).
However, the worship area is also in need of re-decoration, which the Church has budgeted for, and this must be done prior to the floor repairs as it entails the use of tower scaffolding on the floor.
Work starts on 22nd February, and they expect all to be finished by the end of March. All groups who use the church have been kept informed, and most are anxious to return after Easter, whilst the leadership team will discuss how they harmonise Sunday services and church activities when they again have two fully operational church sites.
St Columba’s Church Service
Having developed such good relations with both the community and the medical team in 2021, they will continue to offer occasional use for clinics in the future, and are able to do so as the requirements for sanitising, particularly of the flooring, have been relaxed, so further damage can be avoided. They also intend to have a service of thanksgiving where they invite community volunteers and medical staff to join them and are looking at other ways to build on links made during the last two years.
Steve Ellis (St. Columba) said, “it has been a privilege to work with all in the community and the medical teams whose commitment and dedication has been inspiring. The church community as a whole need especial thanks, not just those directly involved in the practicalities of supporting both the vaccines and the Community Volunteer Hub, for their positive support, encouragement and prayer during the pandemic”.
It was always anticipated that the spread of the Covid virus would intensify in the colder winter weather.
In response to the rising infection rates, following the arrival of the Omicron Variant in the UK, you now must wear a face-covering in most indoor public places, at large venues and events, and on public transport.
In the week up to November 26th, there were twenty- eight new cases in Sandygate and Crosspool; an infection rate of 444.2 per 100,000 people.
NHS
Please take care when visiting friends, relatives, and the vulnerable.
We must do what we can to protect everyone & our NHS:- Face – Space – Vaccinate
Garden waste collections will resume from today, Monday 2nd August.
Garden Waste
After being temporarily suspended for two weeks, due to the impact of COVID-19 on Veolia staffing levels , Sheffield City Council have announced an end to the temporary suspension of garden waste collections for Sheffield residents,
In compliance with the service’s terms and conditions, customers will receive an additional collection added on at the end of the service to account for the temporary suspension.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, July’s hugely popular Crosspool Summer Fayre has had to be cancelled for the second year running.
This year’s event was due to take place on Saturday 3rd July, but with current government COVID-19 restrictions on mass gathering now having been extended to the 19th July 2021; it is with deep regret and disappointment that we have to cancel the Fayre for the second consecutive year.
This annual event, organised by the Crosspool Forum volunteers would normally attract hundreds of people to the CDYST sports field, Coldwell Lane, to enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment for the whole family.
We realise that this will be a huge disappointment to those who usually visit the fayre, and to our loyal stall holders’, entertainers and exhibitors, especially after such a difficult year. However with our NHS and other public services predicted to be under significant pressure and public safety still our top priority, we know that residents and visitors will fully understand that regrettably having to cancel was unavoidable.
There are hopes that there is light at the end of the tunnel and things may get better.
Please keep your eye on this website and the notice board in the precinct as if allowed we hope to hold a smaller event at a venue in Crosspool.
Stage three of the government road map went ahead as planned at midnight, with up to six people or two different households now allowed to meet indoors. Hugs and other physical contact between ‘close friends and family’ are now permitted for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions began.
Pubs and restaurants can now welcome customers back indoors, although anyone visiting a pub must remain seated to order, eat and drink. The one-metre (3ft) rule remains in place in public settings such as pubs, shops and restaurants. You should wear a face mask when walking around these places.
Groups of up to 30 people outside are allowed, but bigger groups are illegal.
Election Day is Thursday 6th May. Polling Hours 7:00 to 22:00
On Thursday this week everyone registered to vote will have at least three votes.
Local Elections Vote to elect your local councillor, who will represent your views for the ward area where you live.
Governance Referendum Vote about how you want Sheffield City Council to be run and how decisions are made about local services in the future.
Police and Crime Commissioner Vote to elect the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner.
To help keep everyone safe – remember hands, face, and space. Take your own pen or pencil to vote. To help with social distancing in polling stations you may have to queue outside. Remember to keep a safe space apart and dress for the weather.
Details about where you should vote will be on your poll card. You don’t need to take your poll card, but this may make your visit quicker. Polling staff won’t touch your card and you’ll need to take it back home with you.
Remember your:
Face covering
Pen or pencil
Hand sanitiser
If you have Covid-19 symptoms, have had a positive test, or are self-isolating, you must stay at home and must not go to a polling station. You can still vote by applying for an emergency proxy.
St Columba’s Church has been temporarily transformed into a vaccine hub
Well-ordered volunteers, Doctors and NHS staff are working long hours to help with the roll-out of the potentially life-saving Pfizer vaccine injections.
A full report and interview in this Sheffield Star article
Due to the ongoing lockdown restrictions on mass gatherings and social distancing, tomorrows and subsequent monthly Crosspool community litter picks will not take place until legislation allows.
Information about the restart date will be made available on the Crosspool news website and in the Crosspool Clarion….
Due to the impact of the Coronavirus on staffing levels, all green bin (garden waste) collections have been suspended until further notice.
Residents are advised to keep their green bin on their property (not on the pavement) and where possible, store their garden waste at home until collections restart.
Once the full impact of the Coronavirus on the green bin service is known, customers will be informed of arrangements to rectify any collections missed.
Black bin and recycling collections are operating as normal.
HWRC Opening Times
Opening hours of Sheffield’s five “Household Waste Recycling Centres,” will continue to be, 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week.
In order to ensure the safety of staff and the public during the COVID-19 Pandemic, social distancing measures continue to be in place, limiting the number of vehicles allowed on site at any one time. The demand for the sites combined with the vehicle limits has resulted in significant queues. By continuing to remain open 7 days a week, allows more people to visit and should reduce queuing times.
Read the full article at Sheffield City council’s Newsroom here