Yesterday morning, I didn’t have any firm plans for celebrating VE Day beyond watching the major things on the television, hanging homemade bunting, and trying to listen to some of Andy Serkis’ livestreamed reading of The Hobbit.
Nowadays I always start my day watching Breakfast on BBC1, and it showcased some ways other people were celebrating, including one road somewhere which was holding a physically distant street party from their driveways. They talked about how tight their community had always been, and I found myself wishing that I had a neighbourhood like that. Later that morning when I was praying, I found myself thinking about the fact that I only know one of my neighbours despite living here for five years, and prayed for some kind of opportunity to get to know the people living around me better.
I decided to eat my lunch (an improvised picnic) on the strip of grass outside my block of flats, and on my way back in I checked my mail box. Inside it was an invitation to a “stay at home” street party!
I had an absolutely lovely evening, getting to talk to some of the people on my road and in my block from a two-metre distance. It was difficult to hear everything they said all of the time, but it was generally enough to be able to have a conversation! I had found a collapsible chair I’d forgotten I owned in my airing cupboard (don’t ask) so it was much easier for my to physically bear sitting outside than I normally would. I didn’t manage to talk to everyone, but we’ve agreed that we need to have local socials more often! Ideas have been discussed for a street BBQ next summer (circumstances allowing), and Cluedo nights in my block. I can also recall seven people’s names, which is quite a triumph for me as I’m generally not very good at remembering names!
Although I got a leaflet in my door some weeks ago offering help if needed by someone local (I’ve chosen to rely on Amazon and family support, since I have those options and some other people don’t), I’ve not been made aware of a Whatsapp group in my area. Now I’m wondering whether to look into possibly setting one up for my road …
Although I’ve heard it quoted so much, on the television and online, that the pandemic is bringing communities closer, this is the first personal experience I’ve had of this outside of groups I was already a member of. It’s wonderful!