Families in Penyffordd are going on a bear hunt

As the UK continues to adapt to temporary lifestyle changes due to Covid-19, teddy bears have been popping up in windows across Penyffordd.

Children are being encouraged to go for their daily walks with something to look forward to – a bear hunt.

Julie Jones said she organised this after seeing its success in another community.

She told the Leader: “I’ve been helping with the Penyffordd Covid-19 support group and I posted there that we were going to do a bear hunt, to encourage families to use their daily walks wisely.

“Old and young are getting involved, it doesn’t matter what age you are, everyone is getting on board and it’s fantastic.

“Some people are creating clues about where to find their bear and making it into a treasure hunt. It’s amazing when out.”

Families are being encouraged to count and take pictures of how many they find and post it on the Penyffordd Covid-19 Support Facebook Page.

The family that post the most will win an Easter Egg for their children.

Julie added: “The village are enjoying this when the teddies are posted they message to say they have found theirs or they are still waiting to be found.

“It’s lovely to see. Each day I go out and it’s about encouraging the children to get out and take part. Every day there’s more in the windows.

“It’s just great to see the whole community coming together, people are saying hello to one another and keeping their social distancing.

“As a community it’s absolutely fantastic to see us all coming together, especially the Red Lion pun who are offering food and deliveries. They have been tremendous through all of this.”

The Covid-19 support group has been set up by Julie, Sarah Kenworthy, Paula Godwin and Steve Saxon to offer information and support.

Julie said: “We’ve had lots of support from Cllr Cindy Hinds.

“We have for several weeks now set up a site in our village where every street has a designated volunteer who can be contacted to help with anything a resident may need help with.

“We answer any questions and pass it onto the volunteers, so no one is stuck. This has worked very well in our community. We update the site every with as much as we can find from online courses for the children to delivery services that can be found.

“We have had a young man Adam Bakewell offer to deliver the papers to those who can’t get out. Also, numerous calls for help such as Calpol for a baby and shopping calls.

“It really has brought our community closer. With Rainbows in the window and a teddy Bear hunt for the families to go out on daily walks with the children to be found. The pictures are later posted of the Bears and everyone is joining in the fun.

“We’ve had an amazing response, nearly 500 people are using the site and it’s been working really well.”