June 2020

6 Buckden Roundabout June 2020 Village Notices FRIENDS IN DEED Friends in Deed is a voluntary group offering support to Buckden residents. There are times in our lives when we could all do with a little extra support or companion- ship whatever our age or circumstances. Friends in Deed continues to work with the Parish Council which is leading Buckden Village Support . The main services on offer are: • Essential shopping • Prescription delivery/collections • Telephone calls for advice or just someone to talk to Most medical appointments have been cancelled for the time being, but our Friends in Deed Transport Team is still operating, and we are able to offer a new service: • Click and Collect orders pick - up from the big town stores such as Waitrose and Tesco ’ s. While our visitors are not able to visit, they are still stay- ing in telephone contact. We would be happy to ar- range for someone for you to chat with to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. So, to get in touch with us or to use any of the services we are offer- ing please contact the Friends in Deed Coordinator on 07810 006598 or the Parish Council on 07739 249036 or 07525 267851. Our routine events such as the Community Café are, of course, on hold at the moment, and we will follow Gov- ernment guidelines. We look forward to being able to welcome you all back when we are able to restart them. The Buckden Village Fete may still go ahead on Saturday July 4 th so, just in case, could you please start putting aside bottles for our bottle stall, not just wine, beer or cordial but any shape or content! If you do need help or if you would like to join us in providing help to others, please call our co - ordinator, Angie, on 07810 006598. The loans will be easy to apply for through a short, standard- ised online application. Firms will be able to access these loans through a network of accredited lenders. The government will work with lenders to ensure these loans are advanced as quick- ly as possible and at an agreed low and standardised level of interest. Summary of existing HDC schemes for your reference Buckden businesses should apply via the HDC web- site Coronavirus: Business Grant Funding page a nd also check the HDC two - month Council Tax deferral scheme • The Small Business Grants Fund is a £10,000 grant per business which on 11 March this year was eligible for relief under the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme or the Rural Rate Relief Scheme. • The Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Grants Fund is for those that were eligible on 11 March for a dis- count under the Expanded Retail Discount scheme and have a rateable value of less than £51,000. Eligible busi- nesses in these sectors with a property that has a ratea- ble value of up to and including £15,000 will receive a grant of £10,000 while eligible businesses with a prop- erty that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 will receive a grant of £25,000. Grants are provided in respect of each property operated from and therefore businesses with multiple outlets could receive more than one grant and may receive grants from sepa- rate local authorities. • These grants are worth £10,000 or £25,000 and are non - repayable grants (not loans) to help businesses through this crisis I hope that this report and summary is helpful and wish you all the best in the current situation. As always please check data and websites, as the above information has been drawn from a variety of local websites and government feeds and whilst be- lieved correct, may have been subject to revision, amendment, or cancellation since writing this. Hamish Masson (Continued from page 5) From your District Councillor Buckden bites Did you know …? Around 150 years ago, feast days were held on the first Tues- day in May. Men ’ s races were held both on foot and on penny farthings. These friendly society sports were held on the Co- neygarths. There were also stalls on Great North Road and Church Street. From Buckden C.E. School 1871 – 1971 Centenary Year, FWR Claxton, 1971 Did you know …? Buckden Village Band was formed in September 1890 by Frank Smith, trained under E. Embry, bandmaster of the 52 nd Regi- ment of Foot. With 42 members it was the largest village band in England and continued into the 1950s. From Buckden C.E. School 1871 – 1971 Centenary Year, FWR Claxton, 1971; and others