At Raunds Town Council Annual Town meeting in May, Cllr Sylvia Hughes was elected as Town Mayor for 2010/21.
Her year has started in the most strange of times when we've all had to adapt and make changes to our work and home life!
Due to this Cllr Hughes has been looking at ways of reaching the Community and finding out how different businesses and organisation have facilitated the government guidance regarding Covid-19.
Cllr Hughes is recording a series of video podcasts title 'Coping with Covid'
The first in the series of podcasts is 'Schools'. Cllr Hughes talks to Matt Coleman, Director of Education for the Nene Education trust and Lee Towers, Vice Principle of Manor School. Matt and Lee talk about how the schools have prepared for the return of their students after over 13 weeks of closure.
Coping with Covid - Schools (5/6/20)
The second in the series of podcasts is 'Raunds Area Volunteers'. Raunds Mayor, Cllr Sylvia Hughes is speaking to Stuart James and David Barrall from the Raunds Area Volunteers. A group which was set up at the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic and has succeeded in helping the isolated and vulnerable during this time.
Coping with Covid - Raunds Area Volunteers (12/6/20)
The property market affects us all, whether we are renting or buying our home is our largest investment. As we come out of lockdown this podcast, the third in the series, looks at the housing market is moving forward.
Has lockdown changed our thoughts on where we live? As working from home becomes part of the new normal do people have different requirements when buying a home? Are property prices going up or down? And if we are thinking of selling what are the practicalities around selling our home and viewings. Local property expert Julia Hague shares her knowledge.
Coping with Covid - Businesses (19/6/20)
In this weeks podcast, our 4th in the series, Coping with Covid, we spoke to two local businesses in Raunds. Both businesses have been established in the town for many years and offer fantastic service and produce. We spoke to Nick and Adam Mode from Adams Apple and Mike Doyle from Cookies Bakery on how their businesses operated before the lockdown on 23rd March, how they adapted their business during the covid pandemic and where they see their business going forward.
Coping with Covid - Adams Apple & Cookies Bakery (3/7/20)
Schools have now been open for the last 4 weeks and many students have returned to the classroom! In this video, the 5th in the series of podcasts 'Coping with Covid' Raunds Mayor, Cllr Sylvia Hughes talks to Sarah Mitchell, Assistant Principal at Manor School, Chloe Neild, Head Teacher at Stanwick Primary School and Acting Head Teacher at Windmill Primary School. Sarah and Chloe explain how the schools in the Nene Education Trust have welcomed back their students and how they have managed it. We also talk to teachers Ben Cousins and Simon Isaacs and some of the children who share their experiences of being back. @Manor_School @WindmillRaunds @NeneEducation
Coping with Covid - Back to School (10/7/20)
This week is the end of term for many students that have returned to school. Those students that have finished their school education will be looking forward to going into full time employment, apprenticeships or higher education. Northampton University is one of the few universities to be ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and one of the youngest Universities in the UK. It has a unique way of learning and the students opportunities and awards are at the forefront of their journey throughout their University life. In our 6th podcast 'Coping with Covid' Cllr Hughes talks to Prof. Shan Wareing, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Wray Irwin, Director for Enterprise and Employability at Northampton University.
Coping with Covid - University of Northampton (17/7/20)
As the hospitality industry welcomes us back people are understandably cautious about returning to our pubs and restaurants. In this weeks podcast, the 7th in our series 'Coping with Covid' Raunds Mayor, Cllr Sylvia Hughes talks to Mark Brookside, owner of Jesters Bistro and James Guest, Duty Manager at the World Upside Down. Mark & James talk about the measures put in place for the safety of customers and staff on their premises and look forward to welcoming their customers old and new!
Coping with Covid - Jesters & The World Upside Down (24/7/20)
Lockdown has had an effect on many of us both mentally and physically and not being able to get your hair done or your regular beauty treatment has been a struggle! The announcement that our hairdressers/barbers and beauty salons were allowed to reopen came as very welcome news. In our series of podcasts 'Coping with Covid' Cllr Sylvia Hughes, Mayor of Raunds talks to Christina Dudley from Christina Dudley Hair Design and Hannah Goodall from The Beauty Bug about how the hair and beauty industry have implemented the measure to be able to open their doors again and welcome back the people of #Raunds Since recording this video beauty treatments above the neck are still not allowed but we are awaiting further guidance to confirm this.
Coping with Covid - Hair & Beauty (31/07/20)
Many of us have over indulged during lock-down but not only has it affected our physical health but also our mental health. in today's podcast, the 9th in our series of Coping with Covid, Cllr Sylvia Hughes, Mayor of Raunds talks to Tanya Griffiths from First Free Fitness and Tom Hatton From Manor Sports & Leisure about the variety of exercise sessions, classes and gym equipment that are available here in Raunds.
Coping with Covid - Fitness (07/08/20)
With the return of school ever closer, the welfare of young people during lock-down is paramount. Youth organisations play a vital part in the well-being and socialising of young people and here in Raunds we are very lucky to have wonderful groups such as the guiding and scouting units and Raunds Football clubs. in our 10th podcast in the series 'Coping with Vovid' Cllr Sylvia Hughes, Mayor of Raunds, talks to Pinky, Group Scout Leader for 1st Raunds Scouts and Lesley Jones, Youth Secretary and Welfare Office for Raunds Town Youth Football Club.
Coping with Covid - Youth (14/08/20)
Whether you are suffering with pain or need an emergency service Nene Valley Osteopathy and the East Northants First Responders are here in Raunds. In this weeks podcast, the 11th in our series 'Coping with Covid' Raunds Mayor Cllr Sylvia Hughes talks to Sonia James who is a volunteer for the East Northants First Responders and Georgina Bull from Nene Valley Osteopathy on Brooks Street, Raunds. Sonia talks about how the First Responders have continued responding to 999 calls throughout the pandemic and 'Operation Shock' where they are raising funds to purchase more defibrillators for the East Northants area. Georgina talks about what Osteopathy is and how it can help and the measure in place to ensure her treatment room is safe.
Coping with Covid - ENFR & Nene Valley Osteopathy (21/08/20)
In our 12th podcast in our series, Coping with Covid, Raunds Mayor, Cllr Sylvia Hughes talks to Cllr Helen Howell, Chairman of the Events Committee for the Town Council about the tough decisions that have had to be made about the many events which were planned for 2020. Raunds Town Council organises many events in the town throughout the year which attract people from all over the county and have gain a reputation for great community spirit. With the outbreak of Covid in March all plans had to be put on hold until guideline were issued advising the Town Council of what we could do. So far this year we have had to cancel the Spring Clean, The Mayors Show, The Summer Picnic and now arrangements for the remaining events this year, Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas Market and Light Switch On, are being looked at until a decision can be made as to whether they can go ahead as planned or in any other capacity. What ever happens Raunds Town Council will mark Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas Lights will go on just maybe not as we know it!!!
Coping with Covid - Raunds Events (11/09/20)
This years Raunds Mayor's Charity is Family Support Link -FSL. Family Support Link provide free, accessible and non judgmental support to those affected by another's substance misuse throughout Northamptonshire. Their aim is to reduce physical, psychological and emotional harm caused to families and individuals living with or caring for someone who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. In our 13th podcast in the series Coping with Covid, Cllr Hughes talks to Rachel Bott, Operational Manager for FSL on how the charity operated before 23rd March and how it has been impacted since. They have also launched their Christmas Toy Appeal for this year and Raunds Town Council are delighted to be a collection point for any donations.
Coping with Covid - Family Support Link 13/11/20)