Four Seasons of a Tree

“There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So, he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the autumn.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a pe
rson, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your autumn.”

William J. Little

Editor - The Gabriel Church Supplement

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Service Update: Swale Borough Council - Garden Waste Collections

We’re incredibly grateful for people’s understanding of the cancellation of our garden waste service last week.

This helped our contractors focus on making sure that general waste, recycling and food waste bins are being collected.

Following the pause in garden waste collections, we are now looking to reinstate the brown bin service from Tuesday 7th April.

Unfortunately we will not be able to catch up on the brown bins that have been missed up to this point, and we will be starting fresh on the usual schedule from Tuesday (7th April 2020). The fortnight that has been missed will be added to the end of your current subscription.

We would appreciate it if people could share this message with friends and neighbours who use the service but may not see this update.

We will continue to prioritise general waste, recycling and food waste, so there may continue to be disruptions to garden waste collections, but if you leave your bin out we will try to collect it as soon as possible. The crews will work hard to try and deliver the brown bin service over the coming weeks, and there will be a number of new employees to help with this task, so please bear with us if the service is intermittent.

We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during these difficult times. We will continue to update you with any service disruptions on social media and our website.

Swale Borough Council
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KCC - Pandemic Forces Changes to Registering a Death

The process for registering a death in Kent has changed, due to the current Coronavirus pandemic. These changes are as a result of the Government’s legislative changes to support the fight against Coronavirus and will be coming in across the country.

It is no longer possible to book an appointment to register a death in person; instead this will now be carried out by telephone.

The process begins by making an online application here: www.kent.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths/deaths/register-a-death. A registrar will then contact you by telephone to complete the process.

You must have a Medical Cause of Death Certificate (MCCD) from the doctor before you can register a death. With this new approach your GP surgery, hospital or hospice will have already sent KCC a copy of the MCCD, along with your details, which then the registration service will use to contact you to complete the registration. If anyone has received the MCCD form and not registered the death, then they will need to go to the website or call KCC’s contact centre and the procedure will be explained.

KCC’s registration service is working to complete registrations as quickly as possible and apologises for any delays anyone experiences due to the current circumstance.

The people who can register a death are: a relative of the deceased; a person who was present at the death; an administrator from the hospital where the person died; a person arranging the funeral; or the funeral director.

The registration service is free of charge, although there is a charge for buying copies of the death certificate, which can be discussed on the phone with the registrar.

After the registration entry is complete, the registrar will send by Email a certificate for burial or cremation (form 9) a green form to the funeral director or the crematorium. If the death has been referred to the Coroner and the funeral is a cremation, the equivalent form will be sent by the Coroner to your funeral director.

Birth registrations are currently on hold until further notice due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Murray Evans
Kent County Council

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KCC - Concern over Increased Use of Rights of Way

The number of people visiting the Kent countryside to get their exercise walking the county’s rural footpaths has shown a big increase since the Covid-19 restrictions were put in place.

However, KCC’s Public Rights of Way service says some landowners are concerned about an increased risk to livestock, such as instances of gates being left open and dogs not being controlled.

There are also concerns that the use of public rights of way through gardens, farmyards and schools is increasing the risk of exposure to the coronavirus to residents and farm workers, but this risk is considered to be very low, as long as people follow the Government’s instructions to maintain social distancing.

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way. However, in very limited circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes, landowners may consider the following measures:

• Tying gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers do not need to touch them;

• Temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools; and

• Offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards only where it is safe to do so.

Murray Evans
Kent County Council

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UPDATE - Some Helping Hands for Upchurch

With the news that some villagers have gone into self-isolation, I just wanted to update everyone on our work in the community so far.

We have delivered over 30 bags of shopping now and collected over 25 prescriptions and medications.

We are also supporting the local Foodbank by supplementing their parcels for those who need it.

We are still here if you know someone who is running low on food or needs medication collected from the Doctors Surgery in Oak Lane.

Please let me know if you know of anyone who may be on their own and needs some support, a phone call or a care package.

We can be reached on: 07916 151299

We will be continuing to run as community support for anyone who needs us alongside the Swale Borough Council scheme to support those residents who are shielded.

Many thanks to those who have already donated.

Please take care of everyone.

Thank you

Cia Merrall

15 Forge Lane, Upchurch

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Swale Borough Council - Use Your Common Sense Plea as The Sun Comes Out

Stay away from beaches and parks

People urged to use common sense as the sun comes out

Kent residents are being reminded to avoid unnecessary travel to coastal areas and other popular open spaces this weekend as efforts continue to curb the spread of Covid-19.

With the weather set to be glorious, members of the Kent Resilience Forum including the five coastal authorities Canterbury City Council, Dover District Council, Folkestone and Hythe District Council, Swale Borough Council and Thanet District Council, along with Kent County Council, Kent Police and the train operator Southeastern, are reminding everyone to follow the Government’s advice by staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

A spokesman for the five district councils said:

"It is ironic that just as we're being asked to stay in for almost the whole day, the sun comes out.

But as we battle this virus, common sense remains our biggest weapon and most people are using theirs.

Please don't travel to Sheppey, Minster and Leysdown beaches or Perry Woods, Oare gunpowder works or Milton Creek country parks to do your exercise, and certainly don’t go to public places for picnics or social gatherings - stay close to home, only go out with members of your own household once a day for exercise and please avoid creating a crowd.

We're in this together and it is working. Don't stop now #kenttogether"

Government scientists say not getting too close to other people who do not live with you, otherwise known as social distancing, is important to defeating the disease but is incredibly difficult when lots of people are in the same place at the same time.

KCC Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark added:

“You need to stay two metres (6ft) away from other people - that’s either two very big steps or hold your arm out and then double that distance.

Exercise is an important way to help your physical and mental health.

f you can’t keep fit and healthy at home then the Government advice is for one trip out of your house each day for a walk or run.

Stay close to your home and you should not drive unnecessarily or take public transport unless it is absolutely essential.

We have to continue with a sensible approach to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and avoid the strain on the NHS."

Assistant Chief Constable Claire Nix said:

“As part of their routine patrolling across the county, Kent Police officers are engaging with individuals and businesses to ensure they are adhering to the Government’s instructions around social distancing.

Officers are engaging with those going against the instructions, explaining why they are necessary and encouraging them to comply, with enforcement being used only as a last resort.

It is therefore pleasing that police enforcement has not yet been necessary since legislation under the Coronavirus Act was introduced last week.

I would like to thank the people of Kent for continuing to play their part at this difficult time by staying at home, protecting the NHS and saving lives.”

Aaron Willcox, Margate station manager for Southeastern, said:

“Southeastern’s reduced timetable is designed for vital key workers making essential journeys, with only half the usual number of trains.

We know a trip to the beach might seem tempting as the weather gets warmer, but please follow the government advice and only travel if your journey is absolutely essential.”

Swale Borough Council
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