Bardsey Playground – Latest Update

The Government announced last week that outdoor facilities, including children’s play areas and adult gym equipment, would be allowed to reopen in England from 4th July 2020.

Such facilities still represent a relatively high risk of transmitting the Covid 19 virus if it is present, however, due to the unavoidable high level of communal tactile contact with surfaces. Because of this, measures have to be in place to mitigate the risk – notably the provision of clear and adequate signage. This in turn requires risk assessments to be conducted, and then suitable signage to be designed, printed and installed.

This process is well underway, but requires access to professional resources and expertise. Bardsey Parish Council takes the safety of its residents very seriously, and is taking its lead from Leeds City Council which is better resourced. Both parties are in uncharted waters, however, and neither is yet satisfied that it has met the stringent guidelines, only issued last week, which will allow its playgrounds to reopen.

Please note therefore that the Bardsey playground remains closed temporarily, until these issues can be resolved.

Bardsey Parish Council thanks its residents for their patience and understanding, and will be reopening the playground as soon as it is possible to do so safely.

Hedge Control

Bardsey Parish Council is receiving an increasing number of representations from residents concerning rapidly growing hedges overhanging pavements and footpaths in several locations in the village.

This becomes a safety hazard when people are forced in to the road to pass overgrown hedges, as is the case at the moment, but is a particularly serious risk to those with push chairs, those in wheelchairs, or those with impaired mobility or vision. It comes at a particularly difficult time for us all, when usage of the various footways is high and we have the additional requirement to socially distance when passing.

Residents with hedges fronting pavements and footpaths are therefore kindly requested to check urgently to see if they are encroaching into space intended for pedestrians, and if so, after checking for nesting birds, to trim them back clear of the footways.

With thanks, Bardsey Parish Council

Mission Allotment is go!

Parish Councillors have observed that two of the village’s allotments, situated off Woodacre Lane, are in a very neglected state and clearly not being cultivated. This is not good use of this valuable village asset, nor fair to those residents waiting to rent an allotment and keen to make best use of the land.

Responsibility for the management of the allotments currently rests with Leeds City Council, but LCC is willing to transfer that responsibility to Bardsey Parish Council, and the Parish Council is willing to take it on.

Bardsey Parish Council resolved at its virtual meeting held on 17th June to expedite the matter with LCC, and in the temporary absence of Village News (due to the Covid 19 pandemic) hereby gives notice that it intends to assume responsibility for the allotments as soon as practicable.

Rare and Exotic Asian Visitor Spied on Compton Lane!

Exciting news for those of us fond of our feathered friends comes with the authenticated sighting of a Rose Coloured Starling spotted on Compton Lane in the last 48 hours.

The stunning bird, a different specimen of which is illustrated below, has attracted many enthusiasts and been observed and photographed in a copse adjacent to open fields. All the way from Asia it is incredibly rare in the UK, with only 15 previous sightings!

The theory is that the bird in question, whose normal habitat is the Southern Caucuses, took advantage of a feeding frenzy on locusts in Armenia which provided it with the energy to continue all the way to Bardsey. And who could blame it? What better place for a peaceful and summer holiday in beautiful Yorkshire countryside!

Bardsey Playground

Please note that recent limited relaxation of some Covid 19 lock down restrictions does not apply to children’s’ playgrounds.

In accordance with updated Government and LCC guidelines, playgrounds have to remain closed at present due to the increased risk of infection via unavoidable contact with surfaces and play equipment, and the difficulty of maintaining social distancing in a playground environment.

Bardsey playground therefore remains closed until such time as these restrictions can be safely removed.

Urgent Update – Recycling Sites and Garden Waste Collections!

There has been more news from Leeds City Council concerning local waste and recycling services in the last 48 hours, and it is all good!

1) Recycling Site – Wetherby (Thorpe Arch). LCC has notified today that the recycling site at Thorpe Arch will reopen on Monday 18th May. It will be subject to the same rules as other sites, so will be accepting essential items only and you will need to pre-book your visit on-line, to allow safe social distancing. For full details click on the following link: https://www.leeds.gov.uk/residents/bins-and-recycling/recycling-sites?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

2) Garden waste collections will recommence on Monday 25th May. Note, however, that the schedules will be changing, and your brown bin may in future be emptied on a different day of the week. LCC will be sending a letter to residents shortly with details of the new schedules. In the meantime more information is available by clicking on the following link: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKLEEDS/bulletins/28a56c9

3) Collections of bulky items are to resume from Monday 18th May. Note that, as previously, you will still need to contact Leeds City Council to arrange such collections on an ad hoc basis.

Happy Recycling!

Urgent: Availability of Tests for Covid 19

More good news! Following dramatic increases in the testing capacity for Covid 19, the Government has greatly widened eligibility for tests. Many more people are now eligible, and many more test centres are in operation, including facilities in Leeds.

So if you have symptoms, need a test to determine if you can safely carry on working, or are in a vulnerable group, please click on the following link to check your eligibility, and if appropriate book a test. Testing will be a key factor in allowing lockdown to be relaxed, so don’t delay – get tested today! https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested

Leeds City Council Waste and Recycling Sites to Reopen

Good news! Leeds City Council waste and recycling sites are due to reopen next week, subject to Government advice on operational issues. Please note that to ensure a smooth and safe return to operations there will be rules in place to ensure social distancing, and to avoid long traffic queues on the approaches to the sites. You will need to book a slot, and to have proof of booking to be allowed in. For latest information please click on the following link: https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/update-regarding-potential-reopening-of-leeds-household-waste-and-recycling-centres

Covid 19 Latest – Page Update

This is a quick reminder to keep checking the Covid 19 page on this web site for regular updates. Today there is a latest update on scams, an updated list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), but most importantly detailed NHS advice on serious health conditions other than Covid 19.

The NHS is appealing to patients with symptom of potentially serious medical conditions unrelated to Covid 19 to continue accessing NHS services without delay. The NHS as ever stands ready and able to help, in a secure environment isolated from the virus. For full details view the update and use the links provided. Delay could have serious consequences and even be life threatening, so please don’t!

Village News

Given the current coronavirus restrictions, it has unfortunately been necessary to suspend further issues of the Parish Magazine Village News, until restrictions are relaxed sufficiently to allow publication and deliveries to resume safely.

The editorial team apologise for any concern and confusion that may have arisen around the delivery of the April edition. The Government’s guidelines on social distancing came part way through its distribution, with the result that some were delivered whilst others were not.

Residents are encouraged to visit the village web site for local information in the meantime. We would ask regular web site users who know others who as yet might not be, to encourage them to visit the site at www.bardseyvillage.org.uk. If anyone wishes to contact the Parish Council, they can email us using the email address info@bardseyvillage.org.uk.