A meeting of the Durant Trust will take place on Tuesday 16 June 2020.  The Trustees will consider applications for grant aid.

To apply for a grant please contact us for an application form to be sent to you in the post, or download and print a form, as attached below.  Forms should be completed and returned to the Town Council Office.

The deadline for forms to be returned is 12 noon on Tuesday 9 June 2020.

The criteria for grant is briefly as follows:

“To make grants to organisations which specifically benefit the residents of North Tawton.”

Forms must be fully completed and returned with ALL the relevant required information and documentation as specified on the form.  If this is not complied with, the application will not be considered.

If you have any queries, contact the Town Clerk by telephone, email or via the ‘Contact Us’ page on this website.

Government FAQs on new Covid-19 measures – What do they mean?

West Devon and South Hams councils have issued a Government FAQ document to outline what the new measures mean in practice.

For more comprehensive information, please refer to the full Government Guidance Document – Staying Safe Outside Your Home.

BOOTS pharmacies offering safe spaces for victims of domestic abuse

From today, Boots chemists are offering safe spaces within their pharmacies for victims of domestic abuse.

Anyone needing help can ask staff at the counter to use the consultation room, where they will be able to contact local services for help and advice.

It’s been launched by charity, Hestia, following an increase in calls to domestic violence helplines, since lockdown.

Devon’s regional domestic violence and abuse support charity, Splitz, saw a 62 per cent rise in the number of reports to them during April.

If you need help, please call Victim Support on 0300 303 0554. Lines are open 12pm-6pm Monday to Friday. If you need support outside of these times, call Supportline for free on 08 08 16 89 111. You can now also access Victim Support’s free live chat for 24/7 support

The national police council have published up to date advice on what is a reasonable excuse for leaving your home – this guidance relates to the new legislation brought in by the Government, and tells you what you can and cannot reasonably do.  You can:

• buy luxury foods – it does not just have to be basic items
• go out for exercise more than once a day if you want to
• drive a reasonable distance from your home to then go for a walk – providing more time is spent walking than driving
• you can stop to rest while you are out walking, and you can stop and have something to eat – again providing that more time is spent walking than exercising

For full details please read the attached document, which goes into more detail about what would be considered reasonable, and what would not be considered reasonable.

Coronavirus Emergency – Be A Good Neighbour

Dear Residents

It will come as no surprise to you to learn that there have been many suggestions and offers from those of you who want to help your neighbours and fellow residents in the current emergency situation. This is a testament to the strong community spirit here in North Tawton for which we are all grateful.

The Council firmly believes that the very best way for us to support vulnerable members of our community at the moment is for us to adopt a ‘Good Neighbour’ approach – you’ll know the circumstances of your neighbours, and even if they don’t know you well they’ll know who you are and where you live – you won’t be a complete stranger.

We’ve decided to distribute a ‘Help’ page [SEE ATTACHMENT] to every household in the parish to give residents a means to ask for help if necessary – these will be coming through your door over the next couple of days.

IF YOU NEED HELP –

Place the red H sign in your window or somewhere where it can be easily seen by neighbours. When someone comes to assist you, you could have your phone number ready on a sign to show them – they can ring you and find out how they can help. Alternatively, open a window and speak to them that way.

IF YOU SEE A RED ‘H’ SIGN DISPLAYED BY YOUR NEIGHBOUR –

Knock on the door or window, if they display their phone number give them a ring, or speak to them through the window or as best you can. You may be able to help by doing some emergency shopping or contacting their friends or relatives if they are not able to do this themselves.

IMPORTANT – Do not put yourself into danger of contracting coronavirus, or be in danger of unwittingly transmitting it to vulnerable neighbours.

Sarah Say, Town Clerk, on behalf of North Tawton Town Council.