The Covid-19 Inquiry: 'Every Story Matters'
The Covid-19 Inquiry began in July 2023. A number of senior government politicians and medical officials gave testimony to Baroness Hallett and her panel. Those early encounters attracted comment in some press reports that the witnesses were motivated more to cleanse their own personal reputations and actions than to genuinely assist the aims of the Inquiry to make Britain better prepared for a future pandemic. With this in mind and with reference to the Inquiry sub-text that 'Every Story Matters' let us be reminded that a group of twenty-six residents of Orpington and the Crays recorded their pandemic memoirs as they happened during 2020 and early 2021. The collective result was published by Cray 150 in the art and poetry collection My Covid Calendar (2021).
So if there is any temptation for our politicians and for supporters of certain political parties or factions to rewrite history, or more simply if our memories inevitably fade as life leads us on into new issues and activities, may we humbly be reminded that Our Covid Calendar told and still tells ‘our truth’ of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is there on the record for all time and it showcases the admirable poetic and artistic talent of our Cray 150 contributing poets and artists. Please see below a very small selection. The book is nearly sold out now but there are still a few copies that can be purchased at the Croft Tea Room or from our website.
The Covid-19 Inquiry began in July 2023. A number of senior government politicians and medical officials gave testimony to Baroness Hallett and her panel. Those early encounters attracted comment in some press reports that the witnesses were motivated more to cleanse their own personal reputations and actions than to genuinely assist the aims of the Inquiry to make Britain better prepared for a future pandemic. With this in mind and with reference to the Inquiry sub-text that 'Every Story Matters' let us be reminded that a group of twenty-six residents of Orpington and the Crays recorded their pandemic memoirs as they happened during 2020 and early 2021. The collective result was published by Cray 150 in the art and poetry collection My Covid Calendar (2021).
So if there is any temptation for our politicians and for supporters of certain political parties or factions to rewrite history, or more simply if our memories inevitably fade as life leads us on into new issues and activities, may we humbly be reminded that Our Covid Calendar told and still tells ‘our truth’ of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is there on the record for all time and it showcases the admirable poetic and artistic talent of our Cray 150 contributing poets and artists. Please see below a very small selection. The book is nearly sold out now but there are still a few copies that can be purchased at the Croft Tea Room or from our website.
Three lines among many serve to demonstrate the powerful insight and commentary that our poets produced during the emerging first weeks of the crisis:
Now, every day is like Sunday ...
We’re sending lots of cuddles down the phone ...
How will this change us?
A whole new vocabulary presented itself: many of the words were found in the poems. One such word was Zoom. Steve Cotterell set up online meetings of the Croft Poetry Club enabling activity to continue. Doubra Fufeyin was one of many poets to record the experience of lockdown. Beverley Gillard illustrated Christmas 2020 in the new circumstances.
Now, every day is like Sunday ...
We’re sending lots of cuddles down the phone ...
How will this change us?
A whole new vocabulary presented itself: many of the words were found in the poems. One such word was Zoom. Steve Cotterell set up online meetings of the Croft Poetry Club enabling activity to continue. Doubra Fufeyin was one of many poets to record the experience of lockdown. Beverley Gillard illustrated Christmas 2020 in the new circumstances.
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Life in Lockdown
We adjourn to our homes,
large, medium and small.
Life suspended as we know it.
Some the luxury of gardens,
others with no open space,
not even a balcony.
Young children puzzled, but
allowed out for a walk, or
a ride on a bicycle, if they have one.
Parents stressed - life fraught,
juggling working from home,
with a child’s schoolwork;
entertainment a must.
And what of the single parent?
No help from a spouse,
no respite from constant demand.
This is the reality for some,
of life in lockdown. And yet …
the sun and the moon seem vivid,
if we look with awakening eyes,
in these challenging times.
Less pollution above our towns
and cities is a plus.
Empty streets, cafes and bars;
theatres shut, but are beaming
amazing plays, opera, ballet,
musicals, into our homes.
Mothers and fathers walking in
open spaces with offspring,
seeing something different each day,
in parks or glades with a lake;
a heron flies, hovers, dives,
an aerial dance of beauty.
Changing seasons bursting with colour.
Trees standing strong and tall;
new foliage bringing optimism.
Geraldine Ann Ford
Geraldine wrote this poem in April 2020. It ends on an inspiring note of renewal and hope. Whatever may come of the Covid-19 Inquiry the history recorded in My Covid Calendar is resplendent printed proof that 'Every Story Matters'.
We adjourn to our homes,
large, medium and small.
Life suspended as we know it.
Some the luxury of gardens,
others with no open space,
not even a balcony.
Young children puzzled, but
allowed out for a walk, or
a ride on a bicycle, if they have one.
Parents stressed - life fraught,
juggling working from home,
with a child’s schoolwork;
entertainment a must.
And what of the single parent?
No help from a spouse,
no respite from constant demand.
This is the reality for some,
of life in lockdown. And yet …
the sun and the moon seem vivid,
if we look with awakening eyes,
in these challenging times.
Less pollution above our towns
and cities is a plus.
Empty streets, cafes and bars;
theatres shut, but are beaming
amazing plays, opera, ballet,
musicals, into our homes.
Mothers and fathers walking in
open spaces with offspring,
seeing something different each day,
in parks or glades with a lake;
a heron flies, hovers, dives,
an aerial dance of beauty.
Changing seasons bursting with colour.
Trees standing strong and tall;
new foliage bringing optimism.
Geraldine Ann Ford
Geraldine wrote this poem in April 2020. It ends on an inspiring note of renewal and hope. Whatever may come of the Covid-19 Inquiry the history recorded in My Covid Calendar is resplendent printed proof that 'Every Story Matters'.