SGN Gas Network Upgrade latest: The Volunteer spirit of the people of Pevensey Bay was in evidence last night (Monday 24 October) as plans are put in place to see that support for senior citizens across the community will continue as work progresses with the gas network upgrade.
Fears that the community spirit with regard to a vital senior citizen support network would have to be suspended during the major gas network upgrade that is due to begin on 1 November took a turn in a new direction last night (Monday 24 October).
Key parish councillors and representatives from local organisations met to put in place a contingency plan that has won widespread praise this morning (Tuesday 25 October).
It is understood that SGN will be made aware of the arrangements that are being put in place this morning, following the meeting.
SGN has also won praise this morning for their promise that members of the senior management team responsible for the nine week project, will be on hand at a forthcoming series of volunteer meetings to hear first hand what is being done in the locality to support the work and see that vital services to key members of the community can continue.
Bay Life commented on hearing the news. “this is real village partnership, this is real work by individual parish councillors on behalf of the community and this is real contingency planning by some key organisations working within the community. It is to be hoped that SGN will recognise the value of what is being done by this group of key representatives from within the community.
“There is ample provision within the criteria of The Gas (Street Works) (Compensation of Small Business) Regulations 1996 for this preparation, ongoing work and contingency planning to be acknowledged.
“Individual parish councillors, from both Pevensey and Westham, Daniel Brookbank, Bob Peasgood, Gill Parsons and Helen Burton, working together with key members of the Monday RVS lunch club at the Ethel Wood Centre, such as Chris Wood and Susan Puxley and Pevensey Senior Support Group and Pevensey Volunteers, represent a real team effort.
“Last night, together, working with SGN, this is the kind of spirit that will get us through this nine weeks work from a community point of view. The fabulous community spirit of Pevensey Bay is in evidence and alive and well and senior citizens will continue to get the social contact and weekly lunch that they need, that is vital to their wellbeing.
“The social centre that is the focus of concern here, is named after long term local community activist, Ethel Wood. She would have been proud to be part of the organisational activity last night. Seemed somehow appropriate that her daughter-in-law was part of the meeting”.
An account of the meeting was offered by Pevensey Parish Councillor, Helen Burton.
Last night I attended a meeting of volunteers from the Pevensey Senior Support Group and the Monday RVS lunch club. The meeting had been called to discuss how the groups can deal with the closure of Coast Rd during the gas pipe repair work as both groups use Ethel Wood Hall in Coast Rd to provide their service to the elderly residents of Pevensey.
For many elderly people these groups are their only social contact, and the job they do in providing lunch, support and a chance to chat with their friends is vital. I was concerned that the groups may have to close for the duration of the road closure, which could be a devastating blow to members of the clubs. Several possibilities were discussed, but a plan evolved which means both clubs can carry on as usual. The Pevensey Community Support minibus will collect members from Beachlands and the accessible parts of Coast Rd as usual. Volunteer drivers will collect the remaining members from the other side of the diversion in Pevensey Bay, Pevensey and Westham and a rota will be drawn up to facilitate this.
I’ve offered to be available for the duration of the closure but more volunteers are needed. Could you help between 10-2 on a Monday or a Tuesday? You will need to pick up members from their homes and take them to Ethel Wood Hall around 10am and then collect them later (1pm on a Monday and 2pm on a Tuesday) to take them home. If you could help at all please email me at councillorburton@btinternet.com
I was so impressed last night by the rallying spirit of all of the volunteers, if you can help in any way during the difficult few weeks ahead then please do get in touch. Although Cuckmere Community Buses will be providing a shuttle during the road closure I am concerned that transport is still likely to be an issue, so if you are able to offer transport in emergency situations please also let me know your details as more back up plans may evolve around this.
We all know that life is going to be difficult during the road closure for those people cut off from easy access to the village, including myself. Anything we can do to help each other out has got to be worth a go, and when it’s all over perhaps a celebration will be in order?!
Helen Burton
IMAGE CREDIT: Helen Burton
The Invocation of Ethel Wood
Bay Hotel, Pevensey Bay, Monday 24 October 2016
