The parish councillors, along with the village hall committee, are looking into the possibility of making the Village Hall a safe, warm space in the event of an emergency.
At times of weather extremes – storms, flooding, etc. – when the village is without electricity or water, with no telephone or mobile communications, and roads possibly blocked by fallen trees, the councillors thought it would be useful to have a space to feel safe within the village. Many homes are now completely dependent on electricity and when the power is cut there is no lighting, heating, cooking facilities and, for some, no water. We are considering obtaining a generator to install in the Village Hall so that people can use this in times of need, to make a hot drink or heat up food and have the company of others.
We need to find out if this is a facility that the people of this parish would use. Could you please contact me, the parish clerk, to say whether you would use the hall in these situations or not. Email me at clerk.wcparishcouncil@gmail.com
If you live alone and feel vulnerable, you may welcome the opportunity to have the support and company of others whilst being in a warm safe space. I need to compile a list of villagers who live alone, feel vulnerable or who live in a house powered only by electricity. We need this information to decide whether it warrants the considerable outlay of setting this up and purchasing a generator powerful enough to power the electrical appliances in the Village Hall.
Please email me back with your thoughts, and whether you would use this facility in an emergency and whether you think this is something that the village needs.
Roz Griffin
Clerk to Wootton Courtenay Parish Council
Wootton Courtenay 