As we head into the fourth week of Lockdown, the following is a collection of help, suggestions and insight from local residents and about local businesses and services. There is no particular order so please scroll down. But to all our residents, continue to keep to official guidelines and stay safe.

Firstly, just a few notes

Sue has used her time creatively to produce this tribute to NHS staff and other key workers. The church bell will ring each Thursday to start “Clap for Carers” at 8pm – feel free to join in with your support.

HOWEVER there is a social media campaign asking people to release Chinese lanterns to show support for the NHS. Please don’t!  Not only can the wire harm farm animals and wildlife, they are a huge fire risk especially for those of us with thatched roofs!

We are lucky to be able to exercise in the local countryside but if you are out walking please remember the country code – close gates (wear gloves at this time too), keep to footpaths, keep dogs on a lead when required and PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG.

This link allows you to contact a several groups that might be of help at this time https://www.helpandkindness.co.uk/search/dorset/coronavirus

If you would like to be involved in a community art work – create 20cm squares of your own art work to be sew, ultimately, into a (Corona) quilt, contact Jenny our Sustainability Champion on 07801 240103

In a time with new challenges we may find it is helpful for there to be additional methods of keeping everyone in touch with one another. A new village WhatsApp has being set up for those who live in our village. It is intended to promote the sharing of helpful or important information (only from validated sources) and to reduce feelings of isolation and provide moral support for one another. Please enquire through the contact us page if you would like to join.

“This is Alfred” is a new FM radio broadcast for Shaftesbury and the surrounding villages which broadcasts daily podcasts of local interest, http://thisisalfred.com/ It also carries an updated list of local sources of help and the status of local businesses and services during this Coronavirus pandemic – http://thisisalfred.com/update/. This is in addition to the list of services we highlighted in our previous post on this website – https://stourrowvillage.org/stour-row/coronavirus-helping-hands/

Other useful information

Udder Farm Shop are offering an order and collect service for their groceries/frozen foods etc. Phone 01747 838899. With a free delivery service for vulnerable customers.

Riverside Garage & Marnhull Stores, West Stour are open for fuel as well as all your food and drink essentials, 8am – 6pm, 7days a week, with free delivery and no minimum spend for all deliveries during the Corona Virus outbreak.  Call on 01747 838487 or email enquiries@hawtreeandsons.co.uk

Milk – collect your own from Madjeston Milk Station, Newhouse Farm, Cole Street Lane, Gillingham, SP8 5JQ.  Or, for early morning deliveries of milk and dairy to Stour Row and surrounds – Tues/Thurs/Sat,  contact Newhouse Farm Dairy 01747 822700, or richard_pike@btconnect.com

Central Fruits will deliver fruit and veg for £1, minimum spend £22.50 on a selection of fruit and veg boxes. ww.centralfruits.co.uk

Root and Vine in Sturminster Newton are also open for fruit and veg. http://www.rootandvine.co.uk/

The fish van which is normally in Shaftesbury on Thursdays, is at the bottom of Cheap Street in Sherborne on Saturday mornings and in Bruton, near the station, on Friday mornings.

Pamplemousse is a new business in Shaftesbury and is doing home deliveries of bread, sweet treats and various pastries on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. An enormous treat and delicious. Tel Hanna 07769 174612 to order.

Ready to eat or frozen home cooked meals (Cottage pie, Shepherd’s pie, lasagnes, and meat pies and pasties) and cakes, sweet pies, crumble and brownies are available from Victoria O’Brien, delivered to your door in Stour Row. Contact Victoria 07815 551586 or email info@victoriaobrien.co.uk

Coconut and Cotton (the plastic free shop in Shaftesbury) are available for order online and there is a £3 delivery charge to Stour Row. They do all your toiletries and cleaning fluids and are using glass bottles for now. https://coconutandcotton.co.uk/local/

If you are looking for flour or yeast please use the contact us page and we will try and put you in touch with local sources.

For the gardeners amongst us – Plantworld (01747 824015) is also delivering, and did a same day delivery to Gillingham with no charge. But as with Thorngrove (01747 822242) it is almost impossible to get through. Orchard Park (01747 835544) are delivering and take email orders, but may have a 2-week delivery time.

And finally if you would like help with your garden – Organic Gardner and Grower seeks work – raised beds prepared from scratch. Telephone Paul on 07534 379825