Outgoing Atherstone mayor: I'm certain outstanding community spirit shown by town's official and unsung heroes will live long after Covid-19 is beaten

COUNCILLOR CARL GURNEY PAYS PERSONAL TRIBUTE TO HOW VARIOUS ARMIES OF VOLUNTEERS HAVE RISEN TO 'ENORMOUS CHALLENGE'

RETIRING Mayor Carl Gurney has lauded the "brilliant" response of the community of Atherstone to fighting the unprecedented threat posed by Covid-19.

Councillor Gurney said it has been a privilege to witness at first hand several armies of local volunteers which have risen to the "enormous challenge" presented by the pandemic.

He said "thanks" were due across the whole spectrum of town and country , "making us all proud with a real positive outcome from an otherwise stressful time in our lives".

The mayor, who has had no official duties to perform since mid-March because of the virus sending his busy civic calendar from "full pelt to full stop", bows out at the annual meeting of Atherstone Town Council on Thursday which will see centuries of tradition ended by a 'virtual' Zoom gathering of councillors.

The 71-year-old is expected to hand over his ceremonial chain of office to incoming number one citizen Councillor Denise Clews. She is also understood to be taking over as town council chairman as Councillor David Wright concentrates his political firepower on the take of leading North Warwickshire Borough Council.

Councillor Gurney, who has found himself being 'shielded' from the outside world for 12 weeks as a COPD sufferer, told Nub News: "I would like to wholeheartedly thank every person helping in whatever way they have in response to the pandemic.

"Whether this is the official volunteers, or the more unsung heroes who are all around us.

"From the teachers supporting the children of keyworkers to the refuse collectors, postal workers and shop assistants who are keeping our community running; to every single one of you, your community will be eternally grateful.

"I have every faith that this outstanding community spirit will continue after the current crisis, and only add to our thriving community."

Charity Ediblelinks is a classic example of the "giving spirit" of the town – with more than 200 vulnerable people receiving in excess of 400 meals every week in two initiatives.

Ediblelinks says that "Covid-19 hasn't stopped us" with the food bank some 80 per cent busier than normal and a 140 per cent rise in referrals.

As well as the support to Atherstone and Mancetter – funded by donations by local councillors Denise and Tony Clews, Mejar Gill and Ray Jarvis – it has also supplied food to two projects in Baddesley, pop-up deliveries to 30 local families before the VE Day bank holiday as well as nappies for parents in need.

As the charity thanked the council members for their input, in return Councillor Jarvis added: "I am sure that I speak for us all . . . it is our pleasure to support a very worthwhile cause doing a remarkable job in these very difficult times."

Ediblelinks has also been working alongside partners Heart of England Community Foundation and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service – with firefighters delivering food hampers to over 70s.

Food donations in Co-op stores throughout Atherstone and district helped to create 30,000 meals for the needy – with food banks having received more than 60,000 items from special collection points across North Warwickshire and the county at large.

As Nub News revealed cash-strapped people in Atherstone and district are still "falling through the gaps" of Government-assisted schemes, a former town and county councillor was stepping into the breach.

The Campaign House print shop owner Chris Clark has launched Covid support service Atherstone Matters – delivering customised boxes of food to people working long hours who are unable to get to the shops.

More than 80 volunteers are now involved in a town-wide mission to look after Atherstone's vulnerable population during the coronavirus crisis.

Leaders of the newly-created community support team – set up by the town council and Atherstone Partnership – told Nub News the response and commitment to joining a volunteer army of helpers has been "remarkable".

The plan is to ensure no one among Atherstone's needy who has been isolated by the knock-on effects of Covid-19 misses out on getting help.

North Warwickshire Borough Council continues to "ring round" residents across the district to ask if they need anything that we can help with such as food, medicines and emotional support, adding that for every "100 people who say they are fine, we may speak to someone who is not".

North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey has set aside a few hours each day to delivering food parcels across his constituency, noting the "palpable benefit" for those in need..

He helped with the launch of a Monday and Friday service to provide 160 meals-on-wheels from a command centre at St Nicholas Church hall in Baddesley Ensor – masterminded by Atherstone Coffee Shop owner Angie Spencer, her business partner Stephen Reay and the village social club.

Our Atherstone Man About The House said: "Coronavirus continues to have a seismic impact on all our everyday lives and despite being more physically remote and disconnected with our neighbours and loved ones, it appears to me that the people of Atherstone are working together more closely than ever before.

"As I have noted on many occasions previously, the town has a unique character, pride and community spirit so I had no doubt that the people of this town would pull together in the face of this vicious opponent."

Warwickshire County Council has been behind a myriad of public, voluntary and community sectors ensuring practical and emotional support for the extremely vulnerable and wider help to others identified as in need.

Since the end of March, the county authority has worked with individuals and groups to support communities to get through the current Covid-19 crisis.

As a result, more than 5,000 food parcels and essential packs have been delivered to vulnerable and isolated residents who have no means to get supplies themselves.