Firstly our thoughts are with all of those directly affected by Covid-19; those whose family members who have already died, those caring for someone with Covid-19 and all of the health care professionals who are on the front line saving lives on a daily basis.
We pride ourselves on providing a wide and diverse range of events and projects here in Aylesbury to build and support our local communities and businesses. These events take months of planning and rely on the services of a great number people to provide – from suppliers, entertainers, volunteers and council staff – all of whom (just like you) will be susceptible to contracting Covid-19.
As we are all fully aware, the country is on the brink of what is to be expected to be a very difficult and challenging time for many people, as we work together to reduce the impact of Covid-19, through a number of initiatives including Social Distancing and Self-Isolation. Yesterday’s new Government guidelines encourage the public to reduce attendance at large public gatherings, with advice to avoid any and all, unnecessary contact. It has been stated that the risk at mass gatherings is relatively low, however we are very aware of the public unrest and the worry it is causing, as a Council we need to do all that we can in assisting to protect the stability of the NHS. The Government’s computer simulations indicate that the country will be at the peak of the outbreak from late May and into mid-June.
So in line with the yesterday’s Government advice, we will be cancelling all of our community events up until August. The following events will be cancelled:
- All Great British Spring Cleans on 21 March
- The Mayor’s charity concert on 25 April
- St George’s Day Celebration and Parade on 26 April
- Laws of Time – (an interactive play) on 2 and 3 May
- VE75 Church Service on 10 May
- Feel The Force Day on 13 June
- Soapbox Derby on 21 June
- Aylesbury on Sea on 5 July
At this moment we are still aiming to bring you the Parklife Weekend at the end of August, with Live in the Park on Saturday 29 August and Proms in the Park on Sunday 30 August. It is hoped that this brilliant free festival will come at a time where we could all do with some amazing local live music and all round great family fun. But this is under constant review.
All formal Town Council meetings, including Committee meetings have been cancelled until further notice. In addition the planned Dementia Friendly event Music, Moves and Memories event will no longer be taking place and the Aylesbury in Bloom Garden competition and Allotment competition are cancelled.
At present we will continue to run our After School Club and Holiday childcare services at the Jonathan Page Play Centre to assist parents but we will keep these under constant review and will follow guidelines issued by the Government and Buckinghamshire County Council Early Years and will make decisions accordingly.
We ask that visitors limit their visits to the Town Hall and only attend by prior appointment. Our staff will be happy to assist with any enquiries over the phone.
We hope that everyone understand these decisions, in the knowledge that it has been made to protect the public’s, our visitor’s, our staff, volunteers’ and suppliers’ welfare and safety, along with supporting the Government’s plans to ease the pressure on the NHS and all public services.
We will be in touch with all of our suppliers, participants, event partners and volunteers in the coming days to provide additional information.
