These are gloomy times – another lockdown as the Covid restrictions continue, and now cold and dark winter weather. Winter Cheer is a project to put the smiles back on our faces. In December we will be giving small packs of food and essentials to the vulnerable and elderly, and also some sweets to families with children (plus, maybe a few surprises). Then, towards the end of the month, a Happy New Year poster and a light for every house. If we can all put these in our windows we can wish our neighbours light and hope for the new year. And it will look great!

POSTER COMPETITION
Also, we have a competition for junior age children to make a picture or design to use on the poster with a great prize for the winner. More info on this leaflet.

More details about Winter Cheer are on our latest newsletter which everyone should have received at the weekend. If you can't find yours, you can download it here. If you need more information or know of a home or family that should get one of the packs, send an email.

One of our new hanging baskets, up and looking great. Thanks George and Donna for the picture.

​Over the next weeks and months (with a bit of watering!) these winter pansies will flower, then spring flowers will appear, including snowdrops and crocuses.

This afternoon in the Community Garden we were giving out free hanging basket kits with spring bulbs and winter pansies, thanks to some funding from the Council. The offer was put out through our Whatsapp group and all 20 baskets were taken. The collection was done with social distancing and masks and there was no gathering! With winter nights ands weather drawing in and several more weeks of lockdown, hopefully these flowers as they grow will bring a note of hope and new life to cheer us up!

We're looking out for more offers as Christmas approaches. Look out here for news or, better still, why not join the community WhatsApp group? Send an email if you're interested.

As many residents of the Groves have told us of problems accessing and using the Council's online services (including Parking!) a new Help page had been added to this website. This has how-to guides for getting your free resident's parking permit, plus other services such as free disposal of large, unwanted items, reporting fly-tipping and more.

If there are other things you would like to see added to this page, send an email.