The Village Hall at busier and happier times
The chairs in the Memorial hall had been set up a suggested one metre apart formation but in the end most of the villagers that turned up sat in groups of two and three.
Around thirty souls turned up to volunteer.
I know most of them.
Irene & Mo, matriarchs from the Friendship Group sat on the front row.
Surrounded by members of the Community Council and the Community Association
The Crown's landlady , Karen and Bunty from the Women's Institute and Affable despot Jason Sat alongside Hattie from choir and Meirion who used to help out with the Flower Show.
A lady with COPD on oxygen sat away in one corner .
Nick, the velvet voiced Linda ( his wife) and Ed ( son of the red faced Welsh farmer ) added to the numbers nicely
Jason whispered " Dads Arny " as the meeting started
Most of the older villagers, I know wisely stayed away
Like most meetings that have to look at unknown worries there was a lot of talk.
I could see Hattie getting slightly frustrated as our remit seemed clear to her an experienced young nurse.
Find out who needs and wants help
And coordinate volunteers to sort out that help
Simples!
What was agreed is that the whole village of Trelawnyd and her sister village of Gwaenysgor will be flyered with cards offering help and the contact numbers of a couple of coordinators. Once we know numbers that require support then the appropriate number of volunteers can be allocated
There was a lot of talk about just how much the economics of the virus will affect people's livihoods when the meeting broke up .
Hattie and I looked at each other carefully
Our jobs will only get bigger
Hattie and me
Well done to all. I could be the lady in the corner with COPD on oxygen. As it is I am up here in Scotland but the help from others is much the same. We are good together.
ReplyDeleteOur village had a similar meeting last night- I didn’t attend as I’m ‘unclean’ 😷🔔 with man flu that my husband has generously shared. Typical really. We’re volunteering anyway. I think everyone wants to help but we’re all so unsure what will be of real help other than getting supplies for those who can’t.
ReplyDeleteI think we will all have to evolve to the problems when they arrive
DeleteIts one day at a time here.
DeleteWell done - you have done the right thing. People working together is what is needed after all we are in this together like it or not, best get on and do what is needed. I have mostly kept to home although did pop around to our local shop a few minutes ago. Spoke to one of the young assistants who was a bit stressed as people are being so rude over the shop limiting how many items a customer is to have so that everyone can get what they need rather than what that customer was demanding. You always get a few who have to push it rather than for working for the better good of everyone. Take care Tricia xx
ReplyDeleteMy hours have increased as a result of the Virus and Oh job has dropped off. One of my kids schools is closed from now, one is still in school. Hoping tomorrow the people are in good spirits, manically busy shift ahead lol.
ReplyDeleteOur countries survived a war
DeleteWe will be fine
Of course we will!
DeleteI worry about our local hospital. It is a very modest small-town hospital. It won't take a real big wave to swamp it. We're supposed to take comfort in that we've major medical centers in the cities 60 and 70 miles west and north of us, but they'll be dealing with their own million plus populations; I sincerely doubt they'll have time or space for their country cousins from the next county over.
ReplyDeleteI looked at the face of Hattie a young woman , and a nurse in her early twenties
DeleteHer strength of character and chutzpah will get us through
I've checked on our village facebook page but there's nothing much apart from- "don't go to the doctors surgery without phoning first for advice"and which supermarket has loo roll.I did go out for loo roll today and they had none.One assistant asked me"aren't you self isolating?"x
ReplyDeleteAsk where the volunteers are ?
DeleteI fear things are going to get worse before they get better.
ReplyDeleteYes pat xx
DeleteAs we say here in America, "Shit is gettin' real!" Schools, restaurants, bars, cinemas, stores - all closed or seriously curtailed. Feels apocalyptic, yet, good Lord, could you imagine us all going through the likes of WW1 or WW2? Yes, I agree heartily that we all need each other, we need deeds of compassion and love, more than ever! Sending much love to all of you in Europe, from all of us here in the States!
ReplyDeleteAnd sending it straight back from a tiny Welsh village the size of a postage stamp xx
Deletewhat a ride we are all on. it equalizes us. that's not a bad thing to see.
ReplyDeleteNo....that's true
DeleteSounds pretty sensible to me and yes you are right, I think you jobs will only get bigger, good luck to you and yours, Is in NZ but not in a big way at present - but I expect it will get worse, Hey ho (as you so often say)!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome sparka x
DeleteYou've had a long, and hopefully satisfying,day. May knowing you've done your best help you rest well and contentedly when you do tonight. -Mary
ReplyDeleteHead held high x
DeleteYou are not waiting for the government to tell you what to do, pull together as a community and do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteYou are most fortunate to live where you live. Having said that, health care workers are going to be tested to the limit.
ReplyDeleteYou and Hattie look like a wonderful pair of nurses! It's good to smile, laugh, and get on with what's needed - information - simples.
ReplyDeleteWhen my Dad was just out of hospital after cancer surgery, Mom asked me how I knew just what to do and when. My answer? "I'm a nurse, Mom." Wish I wasn't one of the endangered now due to age and dx.
Sweet dreams ...
and long-distance hugs!
You all will do well in your little village. You always show community spirit, compassion and friendship.
ReplyDeleteTucson is just starting with the closing down of schools, sports, shops restaurants, theaters, you know the drill.
Stay safe and be well.
parsnip xx
The isolation here is very desolate and depressing. If you know someone, not just elderly but single parents struggling to maintain a good facade for their kids, a solo young person whose career and livelihood have suddenly gone, whoever--if you can reach out with a pphone call, an email, a listening ear at a distance/online. It's not food or toilet paper but it helps, will help, as things evolve.
ReplyDeleteIt's very hard to be ''in it together'' when we are isolated in our homes with our fear.
lizzy
Love Love Community truly being Community.
ReplyDeleteHope we see/hear of it again and again.
Thankful for you and Hattie . . . and others.
It's a small world......say hello to Hattie for me 😁
ReplyDeleteWell that went well glad that there were a lot of willing volunteers and well laid plans for the future there are better days ahead, stay positive, by the way I love the photo of the village on your previous post,
ReplyDeleteI can see the church and picture where you live.
Dad's (and Mum's) Army indeed. It really has become another war, with an invisible foe.
ReplyDeletePlease don't call it a war. It's just hard times, for everyone.
DeleteOur department is full of people having lots of meetings, and people are good humoured at the moment. It is the sick leave that we will encounter that scares me, when we are at our busiest, we will not have enough staff to cope. But this is what we work for and at least our jobs at the hospital are safe.
ReplyDeleteWell done. A woman in our village of approx population 4,500 has started to draw up a list of helpers, I've volunteered us for the top of our lane. I've already approached some neighbours over seventy years old.
ReplyDeleteI saw my nearly ninety year old mother yesterday and she is well and has a wonderful friend to help as we live an hour away.
Good news in my girlfriends whatsapp group with one beautiful niece born and one new grandma to be.
My daughter tells me there will be a baby boom and they will be known as The Coronials ....
Stay safe everyone xx
The lady on oxygen was very brave to turn up. It is so good that we have the likes of you and Hattie .... where would we be without you .
ReplyDeleteWe must also try to be positive ..... apparently, China is beginning to get back to some kind of normality so we need to remember that it will get better. When I think what our parents and grandparents went through during the most terrible wars, this will be child’s play 🙏 XXXX
I could see you being in demand for your I.C.U experience John. My son has a friend who has heart problems, his wife is a staff nurse and is terrified of what she is taking home to her husband by way of germs.
ReplyDeleteI applaud the help committee and their kind, practical intentions.
ReplyDeleteIt is at times like these that small communities shine. Real people showing genuine concern for friends and neighbours.
ReplyDeleteWell done Trelawnyd for sticking together. I told my daughter yesterday that if our local hospitals needed nurses I would volunteer. She said 'Mother you can't do that!" I replied "Of course I can. I haven't forgotten how". She laughed and said "No...but you've forgotten your 68 and they won't have you as a volunteer".
ReplyDeleteGetting is so annoying at a time like this. As a nurse I feel I should be out there, on the front line, doing something to help. Instead, I'm being advised to lock myself away. Very frustrating.
You are only 68 Lorraine - not 70+. Tell your daughter to take a hike. Hospitals will need more people with your skills.
DeleteI am 65 and doing my first shift in Monday. If you are fit and well age should be irrelevant. All hands on deck.
ReplyDelete