In the 3rd blog of this series, we take a walk down School Road where despite being in the throws of a global pandemic, local residents put out the flags and celebrated VE Day with true community spirit, whilst at the same time adhering to strict government restrictions on social distancing. It was indeed an important day, being the 75th anniversary since the end of World War II in Europe. At the time of writing, I am sorry to add that our government finds itself under police investigation for ‘parties at No 10’ that broke these very rules, the most draconian imposed upon our nation since the war. But enough said on that point, let’s take a walk down School Road and meet some of our local residents.
A socially distanced tea party on the corner of Sullivan Place
Bob and Mariam Bradley on VE Day
Bob and Mariam Bradley moved to the village 7 years ago from the West Midlands but they were no strangers to Waldringfield! Their parents moved here in 1986 after holidaying at the Moon & Sixpence Caravan park in 1967 and Bob & Marian took the opportunity when it arose to move next door in Sullivan Place, off School Road! Both retired pharmacists with many happy memories of family life in the village, they enjoy folk music and have missed live performances and festivals due to the pandemic.
Also in Sullivan Place, is Alma Wells who has lived here for over 40 years, and previously owned a caravan at the Moon & Sixpence Caravan Park. Alma enjoys golf and sailing and is very happy and contented living here in ‘our friendly village’. Another neighbour in Sullivan Place is Jane Burley, who with no past connections to the village, moved here 15 years ago from Romford in Essex. ‘It is a wonderful village and I am truly blessed to be living here’ says Jane, who is a member of U3A and also a church attendant and volunteer. Jane opens her home to visitors wanting a getaway so they can enjoy the beautiful countryside and river too. During the pandemic, and living alone, Jane was pleased to have a lot of support from neighbours and church friends.
Louise and Phil Brearey
Living at ‘The Mulberries’ for the past 6 years is Louise and Phil Brearey. Though relatively new to the village, they were not new to the area and have kept a yacht on the river for over 10 years. Their children sailed cadets so as a family they were always active on the river, either dinghy racing or yacht cruising. Louise and Phil enjoy walking and cycling, gardening and baking and ‘love the sense of community’ in the village. During the pandemic and lockdowns, they got involved with a local initiative to make visors worn to protect people from the virus. Sadly they were unable to see their children for more than a year as they live abroad but they enjoyed the lack of traffic and watching and listening to nature.
David and Harriet Earle
David and Harriet Earle have lived at ‘Mayfields’ for 26 years but have been residents of Waldringfield since 1964! Originally from Enfield, Middlesex, they had a caravan on The Maybush PH’s car park going back to 1951 and as members of the Waldringfield Sailing Club, they have spent many hours sailing on the River Deben. They also enjoy gardening, golf, swimming, walking and helping out with maintenance at the local church. I think judging by the photo, Harriet may be a keen embroiderer too!
David and Trisha Eaton
At ‘The Bays’ are David and Trisha Eaton who are both active members in the community in many local activities and societies, including the Wine Club! They moved here from Norfolk 26 years ago and now retired, keep extremely busy with gardening, tennis, walking, and sailing in their open cruiser on the Deben. Clearly not keeping them busy enough, Trisha also does pilates and attends the local Book Club whilst David is active in both Essex and Waldringfield cricket clubs, is a season holder at Ipswich Town Football Club and they are also members of both the National Trust and English Heritage! Wow! I’m exhausted just writing all that! Look forward to the next Wine Club though as recent sessions have again been cancelled due to the recent outbreak of Omicron, a contagious but less severe variant of Covid-19.
‘March House’ has been the home of Mary and Peter Fraser for 17 years, along with their 7 year old Cockerpoo, Penny. However, their connection to Waldringfield dates back to their childhood. Mary’s father moored his boat here since 1945 when the river was first opened after WWII and Peter’s father has also sailed on the river since 1949! Previously residents of Middleton in North Suffolk, farming cereals, fruit and vegetables on a small farm, they nonetheless spent lots of time in Waldringfield in their boat, beach hut or caravan before finally moving here. They have both enjoyed everything the village has to offer and been actively involved in the Fairway Committee, Waldringfield Sailing Club, the Church and local village activities. The pandemic brought a sense of loneliness to Mary and Peter as they were unable to see their children and grandchildren and missed social occasions and gestures of affection they normally shared with friends and family. Nonetheless, even in their eighties, they took on the challenge of learning to use Zoom for ‘connecting’ with family in the pandemic. ‘It has taken away the enjoyment we might have had in our last years’, says Mary ‘but we are blessed with living here, having a lovely garden and surrounded by lovely people’.
At the time of publishing this article, all UK restrictions for Covid-19 have been lifted and we are now learning ‘to live with Covid’. For those who escaped the virus in the past two years, it seems there is less chance of escape now with increasing numbers of people in the village being reported to have it, including myself. Thankfully infection with the Omicron variant has been mild, causing little more than typical cold symptoms. Nonetheless, many people remain cautious and continue to protect themselves and others with sensible precautions, including mask wearing and voluntary self isolation. Village clubs and activities continue to be susceptible to cancellation but fingers crossed, we are nearly there now, almost at the end of a global pandemic, and villagers can once again flourish with all the village has to offer!
