Lockdown Activities

During the Covid-19 lockdown Southport Quakers have been keeping busy in various ways.

Marcia and Tony have kindly shared with us some photos of their recent (socially distanced!) adventures in Formby and Freshfield, plus a vintage piece of sheet music that has regained its relevancy in these isolating times.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth took some pictures of the Meeting House front garden in bloom for everybody currently unable to view it in person.

And additionally, some pictures of her own back garden, which flourished in May’s heat wave:

Denise sent the local group an email about her activities (some names have been truncated for privacy):

Dear everyone from Southport Quakers

I am looking forward to being able to get to Quakers again. I am hoping to be able to come once a month. While my grandson is with his Dad on alternate Sunday mornings we will be trotting along to Russell Road Methodist and singing some classic old Wesley hymns. But on the other Sundays my hubby Ian and myself will take it in turns to attend a church with the help of my son Phil assisting us with J’s care.

Ian watches a U tube video of his church service from St Simon’s. I think there is a distinct advantage in these services being on the internet, you can fast forward during the boring sermons, access the service at a time suitable to yourself, and have a cup of tea and biccy while watching (not at the end of the service). What’s not to love?!

It was good to meet up with Sheila and her hubby (who I have never met before) in Botanic Gardens. They showed considerable patience as we tried to sort out our order for ice creams and drinks through the café hatchway! I have never seen the Botanic Gardens in Southport looking lovelier in many, many visits in nearly 40 years (this autumn). The two swans have finally managed to have a brood of cygnets which I think is due to the Coronavirus infection. Usually young boys steal or smash the eggs. This year the swans had a nest right below the second bridge where the dog-walkers and us could look down on the parent sitting on the nest. (I think both parents sit on the eggs – correct me if I am wrong). Now they look as “proud as punch” sailing serenely along with the little fluffy babies.

I’m sorry in a way that the Clap for Carers has finished. The last 2 Thursdays we went to A’s house as we thought J might like making a noise. A lives in a house situated between the hospice and the hospital but she was too embarrassed to go outside and clap. It was great, J thoroughly enjoyed it, I think in spite of his special needs, like any 9 year old he is very happy to put off going to bed! Along Town Lane was a procession of vintage cars all sounding their horns in honour of the staff at the hospital and hospice. It was lovely seeing them all – one was a vintage Morris Minor which was one of our old cars we had (one after the other when they broke down irretrievably) in our early married life. It was the only car we sold for a greater amount than we paid for it, they were already becoming collectors items.

We have been listening to a service on BBC local radio – any local radio stations – at 8am on Sunday mornings. One week ago we heard from a catholic priest with a lovely Irish accent. He said that the Italians had honoured their health and care workers by singing arias and such like. The British were banging old saucepans in a very awkward and embarrassed manner. This priest, however, thought that this made the action so much more poignant and real because we were all so going against the national character. He said you could see this awkwardness in the celebrities, royal family and prime minister too. My other daughter and her daughter have been making pictures to stick on the dustbins to thank the rubbish collectors and my son, who cleans at Matalan and M&S really feels appreciated these days.

Anyway Friends. Good to chat with emails. I look forward to reading them. Perhaps some sections of them could be added to our website to try and convince others that we are not as peculiar as they may think! Incidently, if you would like to walk to Meols Cop station you can see a poem written by Elizabeth on the noticeboard.

Much love to you all, keep safe and well.

(Joy) Denise xx

Do you have any stories or pictures you’d like to add to our lockdown diary? Send them to warden@southportquakers.com!