BERDEN RECORDER’S REPORT 2020  

 

January
We started the year with New Year’s drinks at the village hall followed by our usual Family night on the 3rd. The over 50s ‘Souper’ Friday remains popular with the village hall open at lunchtime. The Film club goes from strength to strength and met on the 18th and 28th. 15 Birch trees were planted in Simon’s Field and the Churchyard thanks to Stansted Airport. A call for more volunteers to help with the various groups that organize events around the village was made by the Parish Council Chairman. The Pool competition will commence once more at the Social Club on Friday evenings throughout January. The Berden Progressive supper has been organized for the 16th May and the Berden Fete has been set for 11th July.

February
Once more the month started with Family night on the 7th. This was followed by a Bollywood Curry Evening on the 8th which proved very popular. Excellent food, music and dancing was enjoyed by all those who attended. The Film club met on the 15th and another ‘Souper’ Friday took place on the 28th. Over £844 had been raised by the Christmas Busstopshop for the Church and the Village Hall. Improvements to the Village Hall continue to take place with changes to the store room ceiling and lighting. The TBD Women’s Group met this month for tea, talks and demonstrations. The Progressive supper has been cancelled due to the VE Day Celebrations organised at the same time. Berden Book Club continue to meet and are currently reading Berta Isla by Javier Marias. The Berden Carol Singers raised £212 for Essex Air Ambulance. The popular Quiz Night has been organised for 13th March.

March
Film club met on the 3rd March followed by Family night on the 6th. The future direction of the Church was discussed at a Benefice Away Day on the 7th. Work on the kitchen in the Village hall continues to be planned for and will be carried out this summer. Berden Drama Group are planning a play for 25th April. Berden VE Day celebrations have now been organised for the 8th May. On the 23rd March it was announced by the Government that we were to go into a national ‘Lockdown’. A new coronavirus named COVID 19 has emerged and originally started in Wuhan, China. It spread across to Italy and many people have caught it. It can be lethal for people with underlying health concerns and the over 80s. It has now spread to England. We are confined to our homes and only allowed out to buy essential supplies or one hour of exercise. We are not allowed to socialise in anyone’s homes. All clubs and societies have stopped. All schools are shut. We have been told to work from home. The Government has started paying 80% of the wages of people who have been ordered to stop work in the hospitality and entertainment industry along with other trades.

April
A Coronavirus Buddy Scheme has been set up for those who need help with shopping or prescriptions or who are self-isolating. The Berden Fete has been cancelled. Lockdown continues. There are very few flights from Stansted and birdsong has become much more noticeable. People are enjoying the warm weather. Berden Foodbank has been started by the church. Regular deliveries are being made to the Uttlesford hub in Saffron Walden as demand grows from families who are struggling.

May
People emerged from their homes on the 8th May for a socially distanced street party. Tea and cakes were eaten by residents in their front gardens and 1940s music was played. It was a really popular afternoon. A new tradition has started in Berden. Every Thursday evening at 8pm people have started to clap and bang pots for all those working in the NHS at this time and other key workers. Lockdown restrictions continue. Schools are still closed but students are now studying online or being taught by their parents.

June
Lockdown restrictions continue. Numbers of people with the virus are dropping. People are changing holiday plans.

July
Lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease but mask wearing and social distancing continues. Schools are opening for a small number of lessons. Clap for Carers on a Thursday continues. Hairdressers and other shops have now opened. We have had five consecutive days of temperatures over 35c.

August
Parish Council meetings and other groups are now meeting on an online meeting app called Zoom. Work on the new kitchen in the village hall continues and are carried out by David Cowler, a local Berden Builder. A lunchtime picnic and BBQ took place on the 31st. It was well attended. Berden Book club continues. The Berden Firework Night is set for 7th November. The Government has launched an Eat out to help out scheme whereby they will pay for a proportion of the food bill in a pub or restaurant. This has proved to be very popular. Berden Church has taken place in a ‘Champing’ scheme which involves camping in Church. There have been several bookings and will raise some important funds for the Church.

September
Schools have returned but with COVID restrictions. People are now being encouraged to return to work. A new rule of six has been brought in which has meant that future events such as the October Quiz night, Fireworks and Children’s Christmas party will be cancelled.

October
Shops are now open but with restrictions. A Busstopshop has been organised for the 10th October selling DVDs and CDs. All proceeds are going to the village playground. The second phase of the church repair will take place next April. This will focus on access to the tower and roof.

November
Cases of COVID 19 are on the rise so a second Lockdown has started and will continue until the first week of December. Schools will remain open throughout. All meetings around the village are conducted on Zoom. The Bonfire night was cancelled. It remains very wet with local flooding.

December
The Christmas Busstopshop took place on the 12th and was very successful. The village tree was also put up. Christmas lights have gone up around Berden very early this year. Many houses are lit up. It is quite a sight. On the 20th a village carol service took place and raised funds for the Essex Air Ambulance around the green. It was well attended and socially distanced. A new variant of COVID 19 has emerged and it looks like we are heading for a third lockdown with Christmas restrictions for family and friends. Food supply problems are possible due to a combination of COVID restrictions at Dover and possible BREXIT issues from the 31st.

 

Mark Trapmore
Berden Local History Recorder