Frog Hall Help Bulletins #1 to #10

These pages have back numbers of the Frog Hall Help Bulletin from 24 March to 18 April, issued and coordinated by Alison and Angus Mitchell so you can look back at information previously published.

Index to back issues on this page

#10: 18 April 2020

From Alison

Hi

Looks like our summer has been & gone!!!

This morning Aldi launched an online Food Parcel delivery option for £24.99 which contains what they call everyday essentials. It was so popular they ran out by 10:20am!! But it's worth checking back as they will be restocking! Brakes (or Brake Brothers as some of us will remember them by) set up a Call & Collection service. They have a distribution centre at the Reading end of the A329M. Their goods come in large quantities as they normally supply to the catering industry. Several of us have used this option already. I was thinking as flour seems to be like gold dust perhaps we could do a FHD order? They even have strong flour for bread making. This comes in 16Kg or 25Kg bags! Would this be of interest to anyone? It works out at just under or just over 70p a kilo depending whether a 25 or 16 kilo bag is bought. One of our neighbours has already bought some and has split it into 1.5kg lots which they are willing to pass on if anyone is interested. Brakes also do other flours in 6 x 1.5Kg bags which would also be an option if enough of the road wanted to opt in. I also see they have added Veg/fruit/salad boxes. They regularly add to the range available on Brakes Call and Collect. Please take a look and if there is enough interest in anything they do in bulk that we can split we can place an order.

Pam has had an update from Oaktree Nurseries:

Since we placed our order Oaktree have got themselves more organised and are now offering on line packages but these are not going to be suitable for all of us as we already have our compost. I have spoken to Bob and they are happy to supply us with whatever we want. They are nowhere near as cheap as some other places but as far as I am concerned it is needs must. With regard to plants which are suitable for baskets and tubs they are basically £1.99 each or 6 for £10. They will be happy to select things which will blend together – I said I would like pinks and purples and these are available, otherwise people could go down the red/purple route. They have all the usual geraniums, busy Lizzy (might be in packs of 6), Petunia and surffinia petunia, fuchsia, various hanging plants or you could just ask for a mixture. Of course there will also be their superb herbaceous plants as well, always well established in good sized pots.

We could perhaps go for something to be delivered towards the end of next week to give people time to place their orders. Most likely best to do it like last time, everyone place and pay for their own orders and then have them all on the same delivery.

Squires Garden Centre are also offering a delivery service.

Re the maintenance of Mowers the final cost for pick up & delivery was much lower than the £50 quoted (bulletin #9).

Neighbours have delivery slots booked for 26th & 27th April if anyone would like to add a few items to them.

Ongoing requests: Antibacterial wipes & cartons of prune juice.

Chris French has offered to help with anyone having problems with an iPhone, iPad and iMac as much as he can via the phone.

#9: 14 April 2020

From Alison

Hi all

If you are able to offer some space on your online order could you please let us know 2 or 3 days before, with the cut off time. Please also give an indication of how many items you are happy to add to your order. eg 5, 10, 20 etc.

A neighbour has a Morrisons delivery slot booked for April 20th. Last time for additions is late evening April 17th.

If anyone needs work done on their lawn mower Berkshire Garden Machinery services and repairs any make. At present he only offers to collect and return for £50 extra, but we’ve teamed up with next door today to get both ours serviced. He’s a one-man band, John, and very knowledgeable. Tel: 0118 940 475.

If anyone is interested in cat treats, cat litter, litter bags or dry cat foods please let me know.

Warings Bakery in Caversham are now offering deliveries. They are a local family run bakery operating in the Reading area for the past 90 years.

If you are on Facebook please look at the following page, FAB List of Food Take Aways & Deliveries (Finchampstead Arborfield Barkham). This is a great resource for info on what's available around the area. Some of which I have already mentioned and some are possibly pre-lockdown. For those not on Facebook, please see this document.

If you are shopping or ordering we have the following ongoing requests:

If anyone is planning a shopping trip to Aldi could you please let me know as we have some Aldi specific requests.

Please let me know if you have anything you would like me to add to a Bulletin.

Cheers, Alison

#8: 9 April 2020

From Alison

Hi all

It's Thursday again! Where did that week go? See/hear you all at 8:00pm to thank our NHS and other Key workers.

There are still some face masks available if anyone wants any, please let us know.

A neighbour has a delivery booked for next week, Asda, that they have offered to add a few things to if they have space.

I understand that the Pill Delivery Service accessed through Citizens Advice is very effective and fast.

Pam Gilbey has sent me the following message:

I have some spare seedlings of tobacco flowers. They are only seedlings though and now need pricking out and so will only do for people with a greenhouse. I have about a quarter of a box and so most likely enough for three people if anyone is interested.

Please contact Pam directly if you are interested.

The White Horse on Easthampstead Road is doing deliveries of certain groceries. Follow this link for details. They are also running their Wednesday Quiz online.

Deliveroo will deliver from some local shops like Co-op and Londis and a limited range from Morrisons as well as from restaurants, typically within the hour. Seems to work better for RG40 2LE, odd numbers not 2LF.

Cheers, Alison

#ClapForOurCarers #StayHomeSaveLives

#7: 7 April 2020

From Alison

Hi all

Hope you all enjoyed the lovely sunny weekend!

Don't forget to get your gardening requirement orders into Oaktree Garden Centre before lunch tomorrow for delivery on Wednesday. See Bulletin #6

One of our neighbours has some face masks available to residents of FHD. Could you please let me know if you are interested in some masks?

Malcolm Inglis has put in a lot of work to create this website as a central resource of information during this crisis. Please let me or him know if there is anything you feel should be added to it.

One neighbour has a Tesco Click & Collect Order for next Saturday April 11th. Please let me know if there is anything you would like them to add to it for you.

The Fire Brigade posted this message:

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service

Planning a bonfire this weekend? We’re asking residents not to have bonfires at this time. They can quickly become out of control and put extra pressure on our firefighters and Thames Valley Fire Control Service.

#StayHomeSaveLives

#6: 4 April 2020

From Alison

Hi

Pam Gilbey has been in touch with Oaktree Garden Centre about getting a delivery of gardening items. Please see her note below. She has kindly offered to co-ordinate this so please contact her directly on pamela.gilbey@btinternet.com.

Many gardening centres are closed and as we are not meant to be making journeys to pick up non-essential items this is a solution if you need supplies.

Once we have an idea of interest Pam will let you know what to do as the website just says closed at the moment.

I have spoken to Oaktree Nursery today, I use them a lot for plants as one tends to get better quality. They are doing orders at the moment, tending to get them out on the day. As we are in Wokingham they would need a spend of £100, not difficult to get to considering I need bird food and weed killer etc. The bedding plants aren’t ready yet but Pam is happy to co-ordinate this if anyone is interested. They may be open again by the time we want bedding plants, we just don’t know. If there is anyone who want compost or similar we might be able to do an order now.

If the garden centres don’t open after Easter Pam thinks we can put another order in for the bedding plant after Easter. They do have an aquatic department and a bird seed etc. If you need potting compost now might be the time to order in case they run out.

To order, ring Oaktree on 01344 937226 and select option 1

Make your order with them directly and pay and ask for it to be added to the 2 Frog Hall Drive order. (Pam Gilbey)

The delivery will be on Wednesday sometime so please order by Tuesday. If compost or other heavy items have been ordered someone has offered to distribute it.

Cheers, Alison

#5: 2 April 2020

From Alison

Hi

Don't forget to Thank our NHS & other key workers tonight. 8:00pm for 5 minutes clapping :)

It has been quite busy this week with both requests and some offers. Several households took up the offer of fresh eggs every week.

Several local traders are offering either call & collect or delivery services - details here.

  1. Danny who runs the fruit and Veg store at the market has offered a call & collect or delivery service for those unable to get out.
  2. Sheeplands Farm are offering deliveries.
  3. CA Belcher a local wholesale fruit & veg also are doing deliveries. Boxes can be ordered online or by phone.
  4. Reeves the butchers also deliver.
  5. Lockey Farm are accepting orders by email or phone.
  6. Jackson Restaurant @ California Country Park are offering a delivery service
  7. Brookleas Fish Farm was at the farmer's market today. He says he intends to attend the farmer's market as long as they are running. He will now also do deliveries on farmer's market days, taking orders by phone or email. Phone: 01235 82050, 07887 513019

The free milk & other items are not so plentiful this week. :(

Don't forget to let me know if you have an online grocery order booked and you are willing to add something to it for other residents. Even if you are willing to add 5 or 10 items for someone who is unable to leave the house, that would be really helpful.

See/Hear you all at 8:00pm

Cheers, Alison

#4: 31 March 2020

From Alison

Hi All

We have managed to arrange a delivery of fresh eggs every week, not down to me I must add hastily. Later on today 3 dozen eggs will be delivered that can be distributed between us in half dozens (I think). They are large, free range eggs and cost £3 a dozen. Can you let me know if you would want a regular supply. I believe the maximum we can ask for is about 4 dozen, so 8 households.

Has anyone got an online delivery slot book for groceries? Would it be possible to add things to it. Two requests have come in for shopping. One for about 30 items and the other for about 10. (Waitrose would be ideal but not strictly necessary.)

Thanks, Alison

#3: 27 March 2020

From Alison

Evening All as Dixon of Dock Green used to say :)

I still have 4 4-pint bottles of semi-skimmed milk going free if anyone wants any more. The use-by date is 29th March. It can be frozen.

Malcolm Inglis has kindly forwarded this information to me and has kindly offered to help on the Apple side of things.

Now that we are unable to meet up with friends and family unless they are already part of the household people are increasingly turning to video linking to stay in touch. Skype, Zoom, WhatsApp (Android) and FaceTime (Apple) are popular applications but unless you have a reliable and fast internet connection the experience can be frustrating and disappointing. Within the home the wi-fi connection needs to be strong and your computer or phone needs to be fairly close to the router/modem or the signal may be too weak for reliable operation. There are two ways to improve the situation.

You can buy a wi-fi repeater or extender which you place between the main router and your computer. This boosts the signal between the two devices and can improve the connection enormously. Setting up is normally fairly straightforward. There's a slight drop in speed, but you may not notice it.

A simpler, and usually cheaper, solution is to connect your computer to the router by cable. Ethernet cables are cheap and making the connection is very simple - in most cases 'it just works'. Your router may have come with a cable that you don’t use, or your neighbour may have a spare. If you're prepared to live with the hassle of the cable while making a call, then this method is very reliable, is faster than wi-fi, and has better security.

If your video call experience seems to be unreliable or quirky, you should try one of these approaches - it may be all you need to enjoy keeping in touch. Don’t forget that you can ask FrogHallHelp if you need assistance with the technology.

Brakes of Reading kindly supplied the milk & are continuing to supply the charity based in Norreys. Well done Brakes.

Best wishes, Alison

#2: 25 March 2020

From Angus

If possible please use this email address if it is anything to do with the current situation, e.g. suggestions and ideas or requests for help. I do not look at my other email (neighbourhood watch) address regularly. Messages to this address come straight to my phone which I have with me most of the time.

Thank you to Nathalie for the offer of sausages etc yesterday.

Stuart Ingwell has an appointment to collect some runner bean & tomato seeds from Ashridge Nurseries tomorrow morning. He may be able to add to his order. Is anyone interested in him trying to get anything? Please let me know by this evening.

Jaki @ number 39 has asked me to pass the following on to you all:

I currently work for Citizens Advice Wokingham and, as hopefully many of you know we are acting as the “front door”, collaborating with various statutory and voluntary agencies, to support all those living or working in Wokingham.

Hopefully you will have now received the A5 dark blue Wokingham Borough Council “Do you need support” leaflet. This, again, refers people to Citizens Advice Wokingham Advice.

As per government guidance, my colleagues and I are currently all working from home and working hard to support our community and those in need during this difficult and unprecedented time. So, please do contact us, or refer others, if you or they need any help or support. We will do all we can to help.

Contact details:

Advice Line: 0300 330 1189 (if prompted enter 0118 978 7258)

#1: 24 March 2020

Hi everyone!

Thanks for putting up with so many emails from me!

Yesterday we had our first request for help & the system has worked well I think. The request was for cartons of prune juice. This is an ongoing request for medical reasons and for approximately 6 litres per week. If you are making an online grocery order or going out shopping perhaps you could add a couple or more cartons of juice to your list? I understand there is likely to be a limit to the number an individul can purchase. In this case I will co-ordinate payment as this is ongoing requirement.

IT & SOCIAL MEDIA HELP

From Angus:

As we increasingly self isolate or keep “social distance”, it becomes more important that we keep in touch with friends and relatives by phone, messaging, or video conversation. If anyone would like help or advice with “technology” for example to set up a phone, tablet, or PC to use group messaging apps, social media or video calling, I would be happy to try and help – without a visit of course. Similarly, if you have other IT/tech questions:

Please contact Angus via FROG HALL HELP
07879628981
0118 978 8496

PS: I don’t personally use Apple, is there anyone in a position to offer help on iPhone and iPad?

From Stuart Ingwell:

Stuart has offered to help anyone with setting up Tesco Online ordering, ordering via books etc on Amazon and also setting up a communal online bridge game :)

Finally

A campaign to ‘clap for carers’ is being shared widely on social media in the UK. It calls for people to join in applause from their 'front doors, garden, balcony, windows, living room' on March 26 at 8pm to 'show all nurses, doctors, GPs and carers our appreciation for their ongoing hard work and fight against the virus.' Shall we all join in?

Stay safe

Alison