Dear Ringers,
I hope you have been able to get out and about and enjoy (or not!) the warmer weather we have had over the summer. Maybe some of you have had socially distanced picnics with friends or managed to go away for a few days. We planned days out every week during the school holidays – mainly to gardens or nature reserves, including visiting RHS Wisley on the hottest day of the summer!!
Obviously, the situation and guidelines with regard to meeting up and what we are/aren’t allowed to do is changing frequently. At the time of writing (!), if you usually rehearse in a house or garden (or garage!), this is not allowed if there are more than 6 of you (the ‘rule of six’). If you rehearse in a ‘Covid-19 secure venue’ such as a church hall, then rehearsals are permitted as follows:
‘from 14 September non-professional performing arts activity…can continue to rehearse or perform together where this is planned activity in line with the performing arts guidance and if they can do so in a way that ensures that there is no interaction between groups of more than 6 at any time. If an amateur group is not able to ensure that no mingling takes place…(including when arriving at or leaving activity or in any breaks or socialising) then such non-professional activity should not take place.’
If you can fulfil these requirements, then you must have a risk assessment (as must the venue). Guidelines for safe rehearsals and a model risk assessment are available on the national and SE HRGB websites. Always follow the current government guidelines and, as I said in the last newsletter, if you have to ask whether it is safe, then I would strongly suggest that you don’t do it for the time being.
COVID Advice - Ringing in the Face of COVID19
COVID19 Risk Assesment for Indoor Handbell Meetings in a COVID-Secure Venu
Unfortunately, this means that we are still unable to plan any regional events. So for the time being we will continue to keep in touch with this newsletter, as well as posting things on our social media pages and website.
Until we can meet together again, keep in touch with each other and stay safe.
Yours, Helen helenlsecker@gmail.com
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