Section 4 – Connecting Remotely
Online meetings became the main way of socialising for many of us. For those not online, the phone became more important than ever. One of our volunteers told us she was working her way through her address book, connecting with people she hadn’t spoken to in 10 years or more. These photos show just a few of the ways we connected remotely.
By Vicky Allen, taken in Downley "Usually our remote meet-ups went smoothly, but in early May we had a power cut during an online whisky tasting (despite the vodka bottle in the photo!). Luckily the power didn’t stay off for long. Our daughter was busy writing a university assignment that had to submitted by the end of the day. Thankfully the laptop battery lasted until the power came back on."
By Monica Hawkins, taken in Stokenchurch "Whilst shielding in Stokenchurch, I responded to a request to make fabric hearts. Staff in Stoke Mandeville ITU were given a pair of matching hand-made hearts; one to give to the patient and the other for a family member to link them whilst visiting was restricted. It also provided something to connect families whose loved ones did not survive, knowing it was one of their last most recent possessions. It was a small act of kindness I could show whilst I was confined to home."
By Jo Clarke, taken in Downley Jo Clarke, with help from daughter Iris, teaching children's yoga during lockdown. Jo's children's and adult yoga classes moved online during lockdown.
By Hilary Payne, taken in Downley "A modern lockdown childhood. My daughter is playing with Lego and on my phone screen is her friend Dorothea, who lives two doors down, also playing with her Lego. They seemed to chat occasionally but otherwise just worked quietly with each other."
By Fran Watkins, taken in Downley "Throughout lockdown, we continued our book group meetings remotely."
By Donna Girling, from various locations "The members of Mill End Voices choir who raise money for High Wycombe Music Centre (part of The Bucks Music Trust) were missing singing together, so instead they created a virtual choir with their own arrangement of The Beatles' 'With a Little Help from my Friends'." Click on the image to go to a video of the performance.
By Andy Rogers, from various locations Chiltern Music Academy (CMA) created a Virtual Orchestra and Chorus, giving all members and their families the chance to connect with each other during lockdown through a shared love of music. Players and singers learned their part at home with the support of CMA music leaders in online group rehearsals. Once participants felt confident with their part, they submitted a video recording of themselves playing and singing. When the submissions were drawn together into one, you really can appreciate that ‘There’s a Power in the Music' – a metaphor surely for the magic that results whenever our wonderful community sing and play together. CMA is an independent centre of vibrant community music making, our passion is the nurture and support of the developing musician in every child. Click on the image to go to a video of the performance!
By Catherine Grigg, taken in Downley "My daughter's lockdown 13th birthday party in May. We delivered party bags to her friends' houses a few days before. The bags contained drinks and snacks, bingo cards, a small individually wrapped cake with a candle, party poppers and a DVD that the girls all watched at the same time."
By Brian Sheppard, taken in High Wycombe Teaching Socaboxfit classes on Zoom (Thurs, 7pm to 8pm)
