Millennium Project
It was the intention for the History website to become 'Read only' in July 2020 when I retired and coinciding with the end of its hosting contract. However, the realisation that the Covid-19 pandemic would have as much impact on the community as, say, our records of the two world wars show, caused us to realise that we should record it as it happened. Thanks to Granary Publications who offered a very substantial reduction on hosting costs and the Parish Council who agreed to grant this cost the website will now remain open and be updated regularly for at least a further year.
If you have any new Covid-related information and pictures please send them to Mary Robinson, and any personal stories to myself Rob Forsyth (Editor: History)
The Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Deddington, 2020–21
Early in February 2020 the news was full of a nasty ‘flu-type virus tearing through the Chinese city of Wuhan. Even into March there were two parallel universes, a horror story out there and one here where life continued as normal. But then Covid-19, a vicious potentially fatal virus that attacks respiratory systems, arrived and within a month life changed fundamentally for everyone.This Covid archive traces Deddington’s story during those 17 months, especially how life changed under total lockdown with everyone banished indoors but supported by our wonderful Covid Response team and a raft of local delivery services. Local concerns and fears, countered by heart-warming stories of friendship and community, were evident in social media postings throughout this time until Covid faded into the background and life went on.
At the end of July 2021, when the government decided all the restrictions could be lifted and life could get back to ‘normal’, it was time to bring the archive to an end. We weren’t home and dry and were warned to expect a bumpy road ahead. The idea behind this record was to chart Deddington’s progress through Covid. We survived and proved our community was as strong, if not stronger, than ever, which boded well for the future.
But ‘normal’ was to be a ‘new normal’. What would be the future of local businesses, especially those in the hospitality sector who had suffered most? How many people could continue to work from home rather than join the daily commute? And how would this affect local transport services? How would the Health Centre resume normal service? Would there be any long-term effect on the Primary School and the welfare of children?
So much unchartered territory after what proved to be the country’s biggest national crisis since WWII.
Mary Robinson (Editor: Community)