Health & Wellbeing

Feb 6th 2024 Walk – HFG

This month we resume our ‘First Tuesday’ walks, with a wander around Fauls – essentially following the route of our Walk 7 leaflet the ‘Fauls Circular’ walk.

We’ll meet outside the Holy Emmanuel church in Fauls [free parking] and aim to set off at 10.00.

The walk takes around 2 hrs, and is over varied terrain with some stiles.

As ever, all are welcome inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Jake Williams [07474 – 974477]

HFG – Xmas Walk: Dec 5th

Our next walk is on Tuesday Dec 5th, starting at 10.30 from the Lyon Hall’s car park in Hodnet.

This month we are walking to Hawkstone Hall, where we have arranged for tea/coffee to be available – at an expected nominal charge.

Our route will be out via the Hearne to Long Lane, then up to Marchamley and down to the hall. After refreshments, participants can walk around the gardens before returning to Hodnet – but, of course, you are free to return earlier if time is pressing. The return route will be via the Marchamley to Hodnet permissive path.

As ever, all are welcome, inc. dogs [on leads] and children, with suitable footwear/clothing advised.

Further info, if required, from Jake Williams [07474 – 974477]

Are you eligible for a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination?

The COVID-19 spring booster vaccination campaign is ongoing, and eligible Shropshire residents have been invited to boost their immunity.

The vaccine is available to:

  • People aged 75 or over
  • Anybody who lives in a residential care home for older people
  • Those aged 5 or over, who have a weakened immune system.

Those living in care homes have been prioritised, and local care homes have been receiving visits from roving NHS teams since the programme launched in April 2023.

COVID-19 vaccination clinics offering bookable and walk-in appointments are being organised and delivered by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust.  The latest dates and venues are available to view on the website here.

You can also sign up to Shropshire Council’s coronavirus updates mailing list for a weekly timetable of upcoming clinics across the county.  Join the mailing list here.

The last date for eligible people to receive a COVID-19 spring booster vaccination is Friday 30 June 2023.

Government’s Emergency Alerts test to mobiles on Sunday 23 April 3pm

This Sunday (23 April 2023) at 3pm the Government will be testing their new Emergency Alert system.

The alert will say:-

“This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK Government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”

The Emergency Alert sounds like a loud siren and will come directly from your phone. As this is a national test, it will affect everyone with a compatible phone regardless of location. The alert will also still sound if your phone is on silent.

We are all free to make a choice about whether or not we want to receive these emergency alerts, but there is concern over potential safety risks to people who may be keeping their phones hidden from an abuser, as the alert is a loud, siren-like sound with a screen message and vibration.

The charity Refuge have created a video guiding you through the ways you can disable alerts. That can be watched on their YouTube channel.

People can opt out from receiving emergency alerts to avoid their device from being detected.

How to opt out of Emergency Alerts

You can opt out of Emergency Alerts, but you should keep them switched on for your own safety. To opt out:-

  1. Search your settings for ‘emergency alerts’.
  2. Turn off ‘severe alerts’ and ‘extreme alerts’.

If you still get alerts, contact your device manufacturer for help.

Emergency Alerts will be sent to compatible mobile phones within an area of risk.

Emergency alerts work on:-

  • iPhones running iOS 14.5 or later
  • Android phones and tablets running Android 11 or later.

The alerts may still be received on earlier versions of Android. If you have an earlier version of Android, you may still be able to receive alerts. To check, search your device settings for ‘emergency alerts’.

Reasons you will not get an alert

You will not receive alerts if your device is:-

  • turned off, or in airplane mode
  • connected to a 2G or 3G network
  • wifi only
  • not compatible.

To find out more about Emergency Alerts, visit the Government website.

Hodnet Footpath Group. March 7th Walk

Whilst spring may be upon us? March certainly is, so here are details of our next public/group walk.

This month’s walk is a varied one, and is centred around the nearby village of Fauls – largely following the route of our Walk 7 leaflet.

We will meet at Fauls Church for a 10AM start. There is car parking alongside.

This is a moderately long and undulating route of about 5 miles in length, with a fair few stiles, and is dog friendly. It could be muddy at this time of year, so good footwear is essential.

Duration of the walk is expected to be around 2 – 2.5 hours, so as desired bring a drink/snack.

Everyone is welcome.

DATE CHANGE – December’s Walk – HFG

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the date of our December walk has had to be changed from the Tues 6th to Tues 13th December. All other details unchanged, as below.

This months public walk, led by Hodnet Footpath Group, will follow the route of our walk 3 leaflet, the ‘Permissive Path’ walk from Hodnet to Marchamley – but then go onwards to Hawkestone Hall where we will stop for the purchase of a coffee/tea or seasonal drink, plus take a walk around their gardens. Afterwards you can return to Hodnet directly, or continue the walk via the second part of the published route down Long Lane and over The Hearne to Hodnet.

This is an easy walk over largely dry terrain – so, hopefully its nearly weather proof !

Meet at the Lyon Hall’s car park in Hodnet ready for a 10.00 departure.

If you intend to come, please let David Wilson know (07970304169 email: david.wilson65@icloud.com)- so we can alert you to late changes &/or advise Hawkeston Hall of likely numbers to expect.

Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] also welcome. Sensible footwear advised.

Expected duration of this walk – around 2.5 – 3 hrs.

Note. To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, usually the first Tuesday of the month. Future walks – January 2023 – none; February 7th (Hodnet to Wollerton and back via Espley) March 7th (Around Fauls); April 4th (TBA); May 2nd (TBA).

All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 – 3 hours.

Keep up to date with all our activities via the Hodnet website or, better still, our group’s own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.

Unwanted Tree Dates!

Well, it took about 6 emails and a couple of phone calls but I finally have some dates when the STC Depot will be open to receive donations of unwanted trees. Dates and times are as follows:

Monday 31st October        10am – 3pm
Sat 5th November            8am – 11 am
Wednesday 9th November    9am – 3pm
Sat 12th November        8am – 11.30am

A location plan:

People 50 and over can book their COVID-19 Booster and flu vaccinations

From yesterday, Friday 14 October 2022, people aged 50 and over can now book their COVID-19 Autumn Booster and flu vaccination in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, with appointments starting from today (Saturday 15 October).

People aged 50 and over can now book their COVID-19 autumn booster online via the National Booking Service or by calling NHS 119.

Flu vaccinations for those 50 and over or those eligible can be booked through their GP practice or by visiting a participating community pharmacy.

For a full list of Pharmacies offering a free NHS flu vaccination, including those not part of the online booking pilot please visit: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacy-nhs-flu-vaccine-service/. Please call 119 if you need help.

Yoga in Wollerton!

Mandy Parkin, from Market Drayton, will be running an ‘Absolute Beginners’ yoga course in the Wollerton Village Room, commencing the evening of Monday, July 25th. The course will take place over 6 weeks and consist of weekly sessions of 75 minutes each. Participants will be asked to provide their own mats and blankets, with Mandy providing blocks and straps.

To confirm your interest, Mandy is contactable via

email: mandyparkinyoga@gmail.com

text: 07942 490716 or via Facebook

Autumn Public Walks- 2022

Although the response to our earlier season walks was a bit patchy, and rain forced cancellation of one, we’ve decided to persevere and try some more in the Autumn – all in the hope that local residents and friends will join us to explore some of the interesting (possibly ‘hidden’ to many) countryside that exists right on our doorsteps!

Past walks have attracted a diverse bunch of local folk, so why not come along for a pleasant stroll in good company?

To assist with planning, we aim to do these walks on a regular day each month, namely the first Tuesday of the month during September (Stoke on Tern to Peplow), October (Around High Hatton) and November (Hodnet to Fauls). All walks will start at 10.00 AM and last around 2 hours.

Full details will be put on the village website and our Facebook page later in the summer, please look out for them. In the meantime, if you’re interested, please note the dates in your diary.

Free parking is available at all start points. Accompanied children and dogs [on leads] welcome on all walks. Sensible footwear advised, plus a drink/snack. Most walks are between 2 – 3 hrs duration.

Keep up to date with our activities via the Hodnet website or better still our groups own Facebook page – search for Hodnet Footpath Group.