A walk down Cliff Road in a global pandemic

In 2019, plans were afoot to capture life in the village in 2020, marking 20 years since Kit Clark’s Millennium Albums. Little did we know that just around the corner was a global pandemic! The first lockdown started on 23rd March 2020, and life changed for everyone in some form or other. This didn’t deter us from circulating a survey to all residents and including a question about their pandemic experiences. What we discovered is that for many, life in a pandemic was eased by Waldringfield’s beautiful surroundings, with its country walks, river views and a strong community spirit that thrived even behind closed doors.

Liz Kennedy outside Deck House

One of the village’s most renowned and senior residents is Liz Kennedy of ‘Deck House‘, who moved here 35 yrs ago but before then, spent her holidays in Waldringfield since 1929! Liz says she has had ‘every help and consideration’ during the pandemic because Waldringfield is a very friendly village. Liz was once a freelance musician and still practices both her musical and artistic talents, attending art club and bringing local musicians together. Well into her eighties, Liz could be seen out on the river sailing! What an inspiration to us all!!

Another resident in the village has been busy keeping village hall funds flowing with the village lottery, a much needed resource for Waldringfield Village Hall which was a thriving hub of clubs, activities, and coffee mornings before the pandemic hit. Nigel King and his wife, Sheila (Bunny) live at ‘Killick‘ and moved here 7 years ago, following in the footsteps of Nigel’s parents who retired to Waldringfield in the 1980s, and with fond memories of family visits to the village in the 1950s. With a parish mooring and sailing vessel ‘Nysa’, the family pursue their interests in sailing and wildlife.

Sue and Stan outside Deben Orchard

Sue and Stan Baston of ‘Deben Orchard‘ have lived here for 31 years. Stan played an important role in the Parish Plan 2004 as Joint Chairman and Sue was Treasurer for the village hall for several years. Keen sailors, they sailed near and far, including Holland, Belgium and France until they sold their boat 4 years ago and took up new interests together in gardening and cycling. They have had plenty of time during the pandemic to enjoy their garden, despite cancelling two holidays, and even took up photography (Stan) and art (Sue).

Among our newest residents in the village are Sue and Geoff who live at ‘Rivendell‘ with their poodles, Sammy and Peppa. Both retired, they love all that Waldringfield has to offer including sailing, walking, cycling and swimming. Both are actively involved with local groups, supporting local wildlife and gardeners.  The village was a welcome haven for Sue and Geoff during the pandemic, despite the sadness of not being able to see family and friends.

Gill and Norman outside Westmead

Gill and Norman Rea built their lovely home ‘Westmead‘ in 1998 but were not new to the area, having lived in Woodbridge between 1968 and 1984. After several years working in the Midlands, Gill and Norman were enticed back to the area by Waldringfield’s community spirit, countryside and river views, and of course the local pub, The Maybush. Since their retirement they have remained active in local societies and clubs, including the Wine Club, Bridge Club and Book Club and although many of these were ‘on hold’ during the pandemic, Gill and Norman have still felt part of a friendly and helpful community which means a lot to distant family who can be assured that their parents are in good hands.

Cynthia James has lived in the village for 45 years and lives at ‘Cliff Field‘ with her cat Mindy. Originally from Somerset, work with BT and sailing interests brought her and her family to Waldringfield where she has enjoyed many happy years, including singing and playing the piano with village groups for more than 40 years. Cynthia is thankful for the ‘exceptional support’ she has received from friends and neighbours in the village through difficult times, including the pandemic which ‘has not been unpleasant’ because of the support available.

Relatively new to the village are the Bailey family at ‘Deben Breeze‘ who moved here from Leeds in 2014, a decision rooted in Mark’s fond memories of Waldringfield when living in the Ipswich area as a child. He is currently a Professor of History at the University of East Anglia and has provided support to the Waldringfield History Group. Julie runs her own business as a freelance recruitment and development specialist and hobbies include running, sailing, cycling, gardening and cooking. Their two children, Katie and Harry, were planning to move to London during the pandemic to pursue higher education and career paths and perhaps they too will return one day to this beautiful village. During the pandemic, the whole family were able to work from home and ‘function effectively’, something that many working families have found themselves doing thanks to modern technology.

John and Diana Foster of ‘Ebbtide‘ have lived in the village for 20 years having moved here from Reading, Berkshire. They used to visit the village by boat and continue to enjoy sailing on the beautiful Deben.  The Lomas family of ‘Kings Fleet‘ also share this love of the river and have been running the very popular public house, The Maybush, on its beautiful shores since 1997. As directors and owners of Deben Inns with 4 pubs in the local area, the pandemic hit them hard with business shut down between March and June 2020. This will have been felt by patrons near and far with some light relief offered by a temporary takeaway service so that people could still enjoy the food and views.

Myself and Robert moved here in 2018 so we’re the ‘new kids on the block’, living at ‘Deben House‘. Both raised in West Suffolk, we moved back to Suffolk after several years in Berkshire, and were drawn to the beautiful river and countryside of East Suffolk  after a short spell in Woodbridge. Our neighbours, Gill and Norman, ensured we were properly introduced at one of the monthly coffee mornings and we soon felt part of the community. Robert runs an aerospace company and I am a Trainer/Performance Consultant specialising in leadership and management. As novice sailors, we have so much to learn from the community of proficient sailors that we are proud to live amidst. With just a few years to our own retirement, never have we experienced a community as connected and welcoming as Waldringfield’s. Before and during the pandemic, we have been hugely grateful to the opportunity to take a daily walk along the river which never ceases to lift one’s spirits.

It’s now January 2022 and we continue to live with Covid-19 (SARS- CoV-2) and its most recent mutation named Omicron. Despite brief windows during 2020 and 2021 to resume some kind of ‘normal’ and a widespread vaccination and booster programme, we are once again avoiding social contact as much as possible whilst this virus runs its course. The 2020 survey has shown us how important community and environment are to Waldringfield’s residents and how deep those roots go. It is these things that keep us connected during such challenging times.