This is a website for and about the Char Valley and its residents. On this page you'll find updates about the Coronavirus, what to do if you need help and links to local information and resources. Use the menu above to find other local information, including a section on and about the Char Valley Parish Council.
Find out more about Dorset Council's Climate Change Plan and how to respond.

Coronavirus -
​Local information​

The latest news and briefing from Dorset Council is available here.

1st December update:
Reported cases of Covid-19 in the Dorset Council area (excludes Bournemouth/Poole):
  • 263 new cases | 16th - 23rd Nov
  • 420 new cases | 8th - 15th Nov
  • 365 new cases | 1st - 7th Nov
  • 390 new cases | 25th - 31st Oct
  • 414 new cases | 18th - 25th Oct
  • 245 new cases | 11th - 17th Oct
  • 182 new cases | 4th - 10th Oct
  • 93 new cases | 28th Sept - 4th Oct
  • 29 new cases | 22nd-28th Sept
  • 18 new cases | 16th-22nd Sept
  • 17 new cases | 9th-15th Sept
  • 37 new cases | 2nd-9th Sept
  • 9 new cases | 26th Aug-1st Sept
  • 12 new cases | 19th Aug - 25th Aug
  • 6 new cases |  12th Aug - 18th Aug
  • 11 new cases |  5th Aug - 11th Aug
  • 6 new cases |  28th Jul - 4th Aug
Case rates
Case rates per 100,000 of the population for the Dorset Council area, the South West region and England in the latest 7-day period. 
Date          Dorset Council |    South West |   England 
16-23 Nov         69.5                139.7             209.1
9-16 Nov          111.0                  195.4             273.4
1-8 Nov             96.4                 166.0             246.9
25-31 Oct        103.0                 147.6             229.4
18-24 Oct        110.0                  127.9             225.9
11-17 Oct           65.1                   157.6             169.7
4-10 Oct           48.2                   134.6             147.1
28 Sep-4 Oct  24.7                    92.1              118.1
22-28 Sep.       7.7                     33.2              55.1
12-18 Sep         5.6                     20.4              38.1
5-11 Sep           8.2                     10.4               34.1
29 Aug-4 Sep 8.0                     10.4               21.9
22-28 Aug      2.7                      6.5                12.8
15-21 Aug        3.2                      6.7                11.3
8-14 Aug         3.2                      4.9                12.2
5-11 Aug          2.9                      5.0                7.8
24-30 Jul         1.3                      4.5                 9.0

Coronavirus -
Local information​

Local Covid-19 Testing Unit 

The mobile testing unit will be at West Bay, Dorchester and Weymouth on the following dates: 
  • Bridport (West Bay) - 11th, 13th, 15th November. 
  • Dorchester - 12th, 14th and 16th November. 
  • Weymouth - 12th, 14th and 16th November. 
To book a test please visit: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test If you are having issues with booking a slot the advice is to keep trying as appointments slots are opened through the day. 

Coronavirus -
​Dorset Council information​

(Anyone vulnerable who has nobody to help get them food, medicine, etc. should call the Dorset Council helpline on 01305 221022, (lines open 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week).

​Local information, help and support ​

Update from Char Valley Parish Council for anyone needing help in relation to Coronavirus or because of other health or practical needs.

Other Local Information​

First Group Bus Information and Timetables X51 and X53

Transport Updates from WATAG: W. Dorset Western Area Transport Action Grp​
​
​Bridport Local Area Partnership
  • NHS Dorset Health Care - 0300 123 5440
  • Dorset Covid-19 Response Hub - 01305 221022
  • Harmony - 07597 379290
  • Dorset Community Action - 01202 847609
  • Age UK - 01305 269444
  • Dorset Digital Hotline - 01305 221000 (Mon-Fri 10am -12noon)

​Bridport Co-Housing
  • Rector of the Golden Cap Church Team, Chris Martin: 07546 214651
  • Charmouth Pharmacy: 01297 560261
  • Charmouth Surgery: 01297 560872

​Local Shops
  • Charmouth Stores: 01297 560304
  • Chideock Post Office and Shop: 01297 489584
  • Felicity’s Farm Shop: 01297 480930 
  • Mole Avon: 01297 32441
  • Moore’s Bakery: 01297 489821 
  • Morgan’s, Charmouth: 01297 560202
  • Spar, Newlands Holiday Park: 01297 560259
  • Bartlett’s Country Stores: 01308 422204
Citizens Advice  offer a full range of advice including help with:
  • Benefits entitlement and claims
  • Debt management and budgeting
  • Employment advice including Statutory Sick Pay and rights when laid off 
  • Advice for the self employed
Contact the Dorset Adviceline on 0344 411 1444 or email your local branch: Bridport: advice@bridport-cab.org.uk

  • Samaritans: 116123
  • Bridport Coronavirus Support Group: 01308 808900
  • See the help that the Bridport Group can offer, even outside Bridport, here.
  • Marshwood Vale Young Farmers Club: 07901 336382
A public health message from NHS Test and Trace
As part of the government’s coordinated response to Coronavirus, NHS Test and Trace has developed the new NHS COVID-19 app.

It is now available for download to all residents of England and Wales. We strongly recommend that everyone over the age of 16 downloads and uses it.
Download the ‘NHS COVID-19’ app from the App Store or Google Play.
​There is more information at https://covid19.nhs.uk
​

Recycling message from Dorset Council:
​Please dispose of your batteries safely

Please don’t put your batteries in your rubbish bin or recycling bin. Batteries in collection vehicles have long been associated with vehicle fires. There has been a spate of 3 of them recently, in close succession, in the Dorset Council area - they caused considerable cost to the council and disruption to residents.

Please put batteries in your red bag for recycling and place on top of your glass box or recycling bin. Alternatively, many shops selling batteries provide a recycling point in store. Order a battery bag