Archive for category: Archive

You may remember, the Beast from the East in 2018 ended with a rapid thaw, which caused widespread bursts on pipes at customer properties and on our network.

From Sunday, we are expecting a similar thaw after weeks of sub-zero temperatures.

What we’re doing to prepare

We are putting additional teams of our key workers on standby and have full stocks of water main fixtures and fittings at the ready to ensure we can respond to bursts quickly when they happen.

We have made sure our storage reservoirs are at full capacity to help keep supplies running during the rapid freeze and thaw.

Our network teams also have plans in place to adjust our network to divert water to where it’s needed in the event of an interruption to your supply.

Support for customers

We are also reminding customers that if someone they know needs help during a water supply incident, e.g. those with a medical condition, such as home dialysis then they can sign up to our Priority Services Register at www.affinitywater.co.uk/priorityservices. We are also continuing to support those affected financially by coronavirus.

How can you help

We have put this quick guide together to help you share this urgent message to the people you represent to get their homes and businesses ready for the thaw.

* Social Media – Share our social media messages using the templates below for your convenience and images

* Video – share our preparing for winter video

* Website – share our webpage www.affinitywater.co.uk/coldweather to keep up to date with the latest winter advice and helpful video tutorials. If you have your own website, please consider uploading the following tips to ensure the people you represent are prepared for winter.

Key messages

Preparing for winter tips

• Insulate exposed water pipes in your loft and outside. You can use felt, pipe wrap or other insulating material and cover any outside pipe or fitting with a waterproof material
• If you have a cold water tank, make sure it is insulated.
• If you have an outside tap, insulate it too.
• Check that your external and internal stop taps are working so you will be able to turn off your water supply in an emergency.
• If it’s very cold outside leave central heating on a low setting overnight.
• If you are planning on leaving your home or business unattended for a long period, turn off the water supply at your stop tap.
• Consider leaving the heating on a low setting.
• Fix dripping taps – even a small trickle can lead to a frozen pipe.

Dealing with frozen pipes

If pipes do freeze, use the stop tap to turn off the water supply. Slowly thaw the pipe with a hairdryer or a towel soaked in hot water or a hot water bottle. Start thawing at the end nearest the tap. Never use a naked flame or blowtorch to thaw the pipe.

Dealing with burst pipes

Turn off your stop taps and make sure your central heating boiler or immersion heater is turned off. Leave an internal tap on to allow thawed water to escape and contact an approved plumber.

To find an approved plumber please visit: www.watersafe.org.uk

Sample Tweets and Facebook posts

Protect your home from the big thaw this weekend. Insulate exposed pipes that are at risk of freezing and thawing, which can lead to bursts n your home. Check out affinitywater.co.uk/coldweather to get your home ready.

Prepare for the big thaw this Sunday! Leave your heating on at a low temperature to prevent your pipes from freezing then thawing, which can lead to burst pipes in your home. Check out affinitywater.co.uk/coldweather to get your home ready.

Affinity Water offer additional services to households that require extra support or assistance during a supply interruption. Join their free Priority Services Register at www.affinitywater.co.uk/priorityservices

Winter can be a challenging time, which is why local water provider Affinity Water is continuing to support those who have been affected financially by Coronavirus. Find out more at www.affinitywater.co.uk/coronavirus

We are moving forward with plans for a Fitness Trail at the WSCC field. This will have equipment that can be used by all members of the community, including the disabled.

During these really difficult times we want to help everyone to keep healthy, both physically and mentally.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO APPLY FOR GRANTS!

If you are in favour of the Trail please email

and say YES.

Help spread the news and benefit the community.

Households across East Hertfordshire will soon be asked to take part in Census 2021.

The census is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in England and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941.

It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets.

“A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said.

“This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.”

Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March.

The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations.

For more information, visit census.gov.uk.

We will be operating a food bank for those in need in Walkern at church on Wednesday mornings, 10.30 – 11.30am, starting on 11th November. Initially we will only be taking/offering dried or tinned food and toiletries such as soap, toothpaste etc.

If you would like to donate items, please drop them off at church between 10.30 and 11.30am  on Wednesdays. There will be a collection box outside 100 High Street where donations can be left. This will be emptied every day.

If you would like to donate items, please drop them off at church between 10.30 and 11.30am  on Wednesdays. There will be a donations box outside 100 High Street where donations can be left. This will be emptied every day.

If you know someone who could benefit from receiving some help, please Contact Beverly Harlow on 07881 588 662 or .

If people feel unable to come to church to either donate or pick-up items we will arrange collection/distribution.

Thanks you,

St Mary’s PCC

Under the most recent guidelines regarding group gatherings, social distancing and the safety of Walkern residents, the Parish Council has taken the difficult decision not to proceed with a large village gathering at the War Memorial for a Remembrance Sunday Service this year. It will be impossible to adhere to the 2m distancing rule for everyone and therefore will not be safe in a small area, more especially for the majority of elderly parishioners who usually attend.

The Parish Council will still be laying its wreath at the war memorial just before 11am on 8 November, but would ask that only ONE member of each group also laying a wreath, do the same, so that a safe distance can be kept by everyone. The Chairman will read out the list of names of those fallen at the War Memorial before the minute silence as usual and the list will also be published on the Parish Council Website

This has been a very difficult decision under the circumstances, the Remembrance Sunday Service at the War Memorial is a very special service to us all, to remember our fallen. Let us all hope that by next year we can resume as we always have.