Author Archives: thehorleyviews

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About thehorleyviews

Horley Village information, news and beautiful views. Helping to continually improve communications in our small but perfectly formed community. Hope you enjoy it, let us know what you think and feel free to share.

A Perspective on Covid 19 from a Horley Frontline Doctor

Tony Ellis in his PPE

Tony Ellis is well known to Horley residents as a respected consultant physician working on the front line in hospitals of the Oxford University Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust.

Tony has written a piece to share with us on his views of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is a personal perspective taking in the origins of the pandemic and its spread, how it has affected the NHS, the hospitals of the local NHS trust, him personally, including the use of PPE, constant hand washing and mental stress, caring for sick and dying patients, and management of health care in the future.

To read Tony’s very interesting article click ‘Musings on Covid 19‘.

Horley’s Coronavirus Support Group Update

“Designer Scrubs by Tracey at the Smithy

Your Weekly Update

Another week of lockdown goes by (I think it’s week 5!) and we are getting used to a new normal. This week we have been supplied with  ideas to knit, stitch, and forage during exercise whilst local businesses adapt and offer services to keep us busy in our gardens and well supplied with food and drink.

Knit and stitch for our NHS

If you are feeling in creative mood then now’s your chance to get sewing and knitting for our NHS. Tracey Parsons has completed this beautiful designer set of scrubs. These have been made after painstakingly piecing together 48 x A4 sheets paper! and will be sent to a lucky recipient at Warwick Hospital. For more information on patterns and material requirements etc. see here.

If you would like to sew something less intricate then wash bags and masks are also in demand. See here for more information on specifications.

Finished articles can be left with Jane Huskisson who will make sure they are washed and bagged to correct specifications (text or call 07984 685127) and pass them on to her sister who works at Warwick hospital.

If knitting is more your bag then try knitting some hearts which can be given to patients and their families who have lost loved ones to Covid-19. Or if your knitting skills are more basic knit some blankets for the Cats Protection Charity. See here for information

Gardening – Support our local suppliers

We have more time to spend in our gardens now but frustratingly the garden centres are shut! Local Garden Centres are doing their best to supply the public safely and  these include  Quarry Nurseries,  the herb shop at The Herb Centre and Farnborough Nurseries (contact on 01295 690479).

Exercise and Well being

Fiona Taylor, Horley’s very own herbalist has given us plenty of advice on how to stay well and healthy as well as some tips on foraging for when we are out walking. See here. Who knew that the common weed cleavers (or goosegrass as it is commonly called) could be made into a delicious pesto!

On a disappointing note, the mineral railway track footpath by the scout camp has been closed for the time-being. For an explanation see here. However that shouldn’t stop us enjoying the beautiful spring countryside that we are so lucky to live in. Get a map and explore! If you haven’t tried it before try the Horley Circular Walk.

Takeaways

Beer and Food – who needs more in times of crisis?! The Red Lion continue to offer an excellent takeaway service on the real ale, cider and lager front, and the Dun Cow at Hornton providing great pub grub. The visit of the Fish and Chips van provided another treat!

Volunteers and Assistance

We still believe that no-one in the village is suffering from Covid 19. Please do let us know if your personal situation changes, so that we can keep abreast of things. And remember, our volunteers are here to help those in need and self isolating. To remind you, here are the contact details for the group:

email: horleycsg@gmail.com, or call 01295 738334 or 07872 930030. 

Stay safe and, as ever, keep washing your hands!

Di Marriott

Horley Scout Camp Access Update

Many people in the village have been disappointed at the closure of the much used footpath along the old mineral railway track by the Scout Camp. The District Commissioner, Alec Stanworth has been contacted and his explanation as to the measures taken is below:

‘Thank you for your messages regarding access to Horley Scout Campsite. My name is Alec Stanworth, and I’m the District Commissioner for North Oxfordshire Scouts. In this volunteer role, I have responsibility for the management of the campsite on the land that we lease at Horley.

May I begin by apologising for the frustration that restricting access has caused. I am aware that historically, informal arrangements have existed in which we have allowed access to the land to local residents for recreational purposes.

The land is however privately owned, without any public rights of way. Prior to the developing Covid-19 situation, we have instructed our volunteer wardens to query members of the public who are not members of The Scout Association, or other approved users of the site that hold bookings with us.

Our reasoning for doing so is that we have a duty to safeguard our youth members. In a similar fashion to all schools that operate on closed premises with restricted access, we conduct the highest level of enhanced DBS checks on all of our volunteers, and monitor who is on site at all times.

Unfortunately, despite our attempts to increase signage indicating that the land is private property, we have found that these have often been vandalised or removed entirely. The costs incurred from further damage to property and facilities on site have understandably been an unwelcome expenditure for our charity.

I acknowledge that these acts arise from a very small number of visitors, and that the vast majority have always treated the local environment with the greatest respect.

However, in recent weeks, as the government introduced social distancing measures, our wardens reported multiple instances of gatherings of between 10-15 people on the campsite. None of these relate to Scouting, as The Scout Association suspended all face-to-face activities on 17th March. In order to protect our resident wardens, a decision was taken to further restrict access to the site.

Whilst we of course all hope that Covid-19 passes as quickly as possible, once social distancing measures are relaxed, my team and I still need to consider appropriate safeguards. I understand that it feels counter-intuitive for an organisation that encourages enjoyment of the outdoors to instead restrict access to it. Nevertheless, we are required to ensure that the actvities we offer are conducted in a safe environment.

In liaising with the Horley Parish Clerk, I am committed to continuing to monitor and review the situation.  I accept that we do not have a perfect solution to offer at present, and always remain open to alternative ideas, and on-going improvements.

May I thank those that have already made contact with suggestions and offers of assistance. ‘

Yours sincerely,

Alec Stanworth

District Commissioner
North Oxfordshire Scouts

dc@northoxfordshirescouts.org.uk

Advice, Recipes and Foraging Ideas to Stay Well

Advice from Fiona Taylor, Horley’s Respected Herbalist on wellbeing, foraging opportunities and recipes for these difficult times.

Another 3 weeks of lockdown and that is just for the non-vulnerable!

The shadow of Covid-19 hangs over all of us but what we will remember is not our dark thoughts and anxiety, it is how we as individuals and as a community deal with the challenge, resilience is not about avoiding bad situations it is about how we face them.

The gardens of Horley always beautiful will now be pristine, our community network is up and doing a fantastic job, so how about looking to nature in our gardens and on our walks for mental, emotional and physical support?

Many of you will have come on herb walks with me, now is the time to put some of that knowledge into action. Spring has arrived and with it the opportunity to incorporate many wild or garden plants into our diets to aid both our mental and emotional wellbeing and our immune systems.

I am sure you all know what a good diet is but this from Tysoe and Kineton surgery explains why.

With all this fuss and handwashing I am just Amazed no one has mentioned supporting our human IMMUNE SYSTEMS! These use white blood cells to protect you from, but if nec. to clear up infection and aid recovery. The Immune System need good nutrition to function. Plenty of fresh food, steam broccoli 🥦with a tomato🍅 and its almost anti-cancer too! Eggs good, fish brilliant. (Cod liver oil if it’s too difficult to get that fresh fish.)

Also, your body loves to take a walk, 🌞. Come on U know all this. … Seafront, the park, woods, sport? In Nature, In your wheelchair too? ~ 20 mins minimum outside for your daily dose of Vitamin D for Daylight.

  • Keep your Immune System healthy and working to protect you by eating well. Plenty of fresh fruit and veg. 🍊🍋🍌🍍🥑
  • Drink plenty of water, a glass half an hour before meals, wonderful.
  • Avoid over processed food such as white flour products and white sugar.
  • Stay healthy and warm and take a smile out🙂 with you to pass on
  • Lots of good sleep to you that are ill. 🤒

Please note none of the advice given is intended to be a substitute for seeking advice or treatment from your doctor.

If anyone would like specific advice or a simple medicine, please email or ring me. I will not charge for consultations and will only charge cost for any herbs during the Corona pandemic.

01295 738609 fionataylormnimh@hotmail.com

I aim to discuss one or two plants or group of plants or spices at a time with some recipes for you to try.

One of the best ways to boost your immune system is to spend time outside where you will be exposed to beneficial bacteria, sunshine for vitamin D and the peace of nature which has been shown to help relax us. See here for more information on nature and mental health.

While you are walking you can forage for wild greens which are just coming up now. Only take what you will use and avoid picking too near the road or the base of trees that look inviting to dogs!

Make sure you know exactly what you are picking, there are several plant identification apps around if you need one, if in doubt do not pick it.

The plants to look out for right now are Nettle and Cleavers.

Nettle

Nettle really needs no introduction, use gloves to pick the tender new shoots which can be cooked like spinach or as I do add to cabbage, broccoli or any other greens. You can also put nettles in just about any dish that takes greens like spinach or kale.

Nettle Lasagne from Learning herbs.com

What you will need

  • A jar of bolognaise sauce Or make your own sauce
  • 1lb mince beef (optional)
  • 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 package of 12 no pre-cook lasagne sheets
  • 12 cups fresh nettle
  • 1 onion
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Method

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Gently fry the onion in the olive oil then add the mince and garlic and tomato sauce, simmer for 10 mins or until the mince is cooked.

Wearing gloves cop up the nettles and add to the mince, cook until they are wilted.

Combine the two cheeses in a medium bowl, stirring until well-mixed.

Assembling the lasagne:

  • Layer meat, cheese and lasagne sheets finishing with a layer of cheese sauce.
  • Cover the lasagne with foil and bake in 375°F oven for 45 minutes. You can remove the foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time if you like a crunchier top.
  • Remove from oven – let sit about 15 minutes and then enjoy your nettle lasagne with a big fresh salad!

There are plenty of nettle recipes on the internet from nettle soup to nettle pesto, share your favourite.

Nettle tea:

Put a handful of fresh nettles into a cafetiere pour on boiling water, cover and let it steep0 for 5-15 mins. Plunge and enjoy. You can add any other herbal tea to it, Chamomile or Lemon balm are nice, Sliced lemon (the peel is high in antioxidants) and honey (raw if possible).

If like me, you prefer your herbal brews cold just wait a while for it to cool.

Medicinally nettle is used as a blood tonic, it is very high in vitamin C and minerals including iron and calcium. It has an antihistamine effect and can help seasonal allergies. It stimulates circulation and can help to lower blood pressure. It strengthens natural resistance to infection. It has been shown in one trial to contain a lectin which prevents virus replication. See here.

I am not suggesting that drinking nettle tea will cure or prevent Covid-19 but it is certainly good for us!

Cleavers

Cleavers was once used as a potherb. It was a useful plant in Medieval kitchens because it could be picked in frost or snow. The plant’s hook-like bristles soften when boiled. Its chopped leaves and stem can be made into soups and stews. The tender shoots can be boiled and buttered as a vegetable. (eatweeds.co.uk).

Medicinally it is used to improve and support the lymphatic system and to promote elimination through the kidneys, liver, lungs, and skin. It is high in flavonoids which are give colour to fruits and vegetables and are needed for our immune system.

It has a long tradition as a spring tonic herb.

It can be added in small amounts to salads. Pick the fresh young tops and chop up well.

Cleavers Pesto

Cleavers makes a surprisingly delicious pesto!  You can make a big batch and freeze it in ice cube trays then transfer to a Ziplock bag when frozen. Simply substitute the cleavers for all or some of the basil in your favourite pesto recipe or try this one.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh cleavers (stems and leaves,) packed
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts or walnuts
  • 1/4 -1/2 cup olive oil
  • pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

In a food processor, process the cleavers, garlic, nuts, and sea salt until coarsely chopped. Add olive oil and pulse until smooth.

Serve immediately or store in a sealed container or glass jar in the refrigerator.

Keep safe and happy foraging everyone 😀

Fiona Taylor, Medical Herbalist

Calling Horley’s Knitters…!

Knits for Kits and Hearts for Hospitals!

Now that we all have so much extra time on our hands for learning new crafts why not start by knitting a blanket for the Cat’s Protection charity or if you are more skilled then try this pattern for a Love Heart for Warwick Hospital.

Cat’s Protection can’t fundraise or re-home any cats at the moment and require blankets for cats currently in their foster care. Size required is 50 x 50 cm  (20 x 20 in) any pattern or colour. If you can’t knit or have wool to spare please contact Sandra Easton on 07841 493229‬ who is currently busy with her needles! She will also ensure that the blankets get to the local branch.

The hearts will be given to patients who contracted Covid-19 and their families. It is an idea from an ITU nurse, Ms Kirby-Deacon, who works as a sister at the Great Western Hospital to bring comfort to families, who have not been able to see a loved one before they die. See video. One heart is put with the patient who has passed and one given to the grieving family, so ideally the hearts should be knitted in pairs.

it is important to use clean yarn and seal the hearts in a taped bag, such as a freezer bag or bin liner which needs to be time stamped because 72 hours must have elapsed before they are safe to use. These can be left with Jane Huskisson (text or call 07984 685127) who will pass them on to her sister who works at Warwick hospital.

Horley – Your Chance to Help our NHS

Can you sew or donate materials to make NHS Scrubs for Warwick Hospital?

This is a request from Jane Huskisson who writes:

‘My sister works at Warwick hospital.  She is helping gather materials to make PPE. If you have buttons (2-2.5cm), thin elastic and/or thin cotton fabric (cotton sheets are fine) to spare, I will happily take them and get them to my sister.’

Elastic needs to be 1.5-2.5cm wide, cotton fabric to be in light colours for gowns.

In order to contact Jane please call or text 07984 685127.

For information on how to make scrubs for NHS workers see PPE Info.

Warwickshire Scrubbers  is a Facebook Group for sewers and their helpers in Warwickshire creating mainly scrubs, bags and caps for local hospitals.

Also see UK Crafters – Oxfordshire and Central Hub which  was set up in response to the Australian bush fires. Now all attention is focused on the NHS and mainly making laundry bags etc. for Oxford University Trust Hospitals, including the Horton and JR.

Horley’s Coronavirus Support Group Update

Judy’s Easter Outfit

Your Weekly Update

This week is from Glenys Kyle, Group Coordinator:

‘We all had confirmation on Tuesday that lockdown will continue for at least another three weeks. Here in Horley we appear to be coping well. Our bins are still being emptied and our verges cut. Our resourceful volunteers are happy to do shopping, prescription collection and to lend a hand (and an ear) to those in need.  Charles Cozens and his household are keeping the churchyard in exceptionally good order, and with time on our hands, many of our gardens are getting more attention than usual. Then to take the sting out of things, Dave and Tash at the Red Lion are continuing to keep us supplied in fine ale and the like.

 As far as we know, no-one in the village is suffering from Covid 19. A small handful of people have been self-isolating in recent weeks, as they have found themselves displaying one or more of the symptoms, but we know of no confirmed case. Please do let us know if your personal situation changes, so that we can keep abreast of things. And remember, our volunteers are here to help those in need. To remind you, here are the contact details for the group:

email: horleycsg@gmail.com, or call 01295 738334 or 07872 930030. 

It has been lovely to hear the village showing its appreciation for key workers, on Thursday evenings at eight. The usual applause is now being supplemented with bells and whistles, and that means we can more easily hear each other’s appreciation even if we can’t see everyone. Let’s keep it up over the weeks ahead.’

Glenys

Request from James – Our Fantastic Village Postie

Jools our posiet with Judy

 Please could you leave your gate open….

‘Hiya .. it’s Jools the postman … Over the last few weeks it’s been such a pleasure delivering to everyone at this difficult time and everybody has played by the rules and kept a safe distance , making it easier for me and yourselves, when I’ve had a chat etc …. But can I ask a little favour? .. if you could leave your front gate open , it would be a massive help , not just for me but other delivery drivers , just to minimise contact … Thank you’.

Jools Kirton

Horley’s Coronavirus Support Group Update

Easter Garden in Church Porch

Your Weekly Update

Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter.   It will be a very different Easter this year without services in our Church or visits to Hadsham Farm to see the new lambs and of course not being able to meet up with friends and family from outside the village.

But on a more positive note, as far as we know, Horley continues to be virus free.

The Ladies Guild have made a donation to Christian Aid instead of making and sharing home-made soup on Good Friday, and an Easter garden has been set up in the Church porch – do go and take a look on your daily walk (whilst maintaining social distancing of course!)

Our group of fantastic volunteers are continuing to shop and collect prescriptions for others and technology is helping us to keep in touch with family and friends virtually, if not face to face. The glorious weather means we can spend time in our gardens (tending them or just enjoying them) and don’t forget that you can order plants from our local supplier Quarry Nurseries from April 26th.

Lambing is well underway at Hadsham Farm and there are lots of photos and videos on their Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/hadshamfarmbanbury/

If you need any help with shopping, prescription collection, dog walking or just a friendly chat on the phone, please contact us on the details below.

email: horleycsg@gmail.com, or call 01295 738334 or 07872 930030.

And as before, we would really appreciate it if you would let us know if you are aware of any potential cases of the virus in the village.

Keep washing your hands, and stay safe!

Alison Tite, Horley CV Liaison Group