‘Really neat’ bringing ‘sparkle to the street’

WE are all social distancing, but the Covid19 pandemic has actually brought residents of Dunedin’s Pacific St closer together.

Longtime dweller on the innercity street Christine Parker said a range of neighbourhood activities had been organised, culminating in an allout effort by residents to dress their street up to mark Easter.

‘‘This is a perfect time of year to have festive lights out because you can’t see them that well at Christmastime, when it doesn’t get dark till about 10 o’clock,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s brought a bit of sparkle to the street and been really neat. You can’t just help but smile when you see people’s creations.’’

Efforts to ensure Pacific St’s residents looked out for each other began the day before lockdown, when Anne Thomson collected as many email addresses as she could and organised a message tree.

From that, initiatives such as coming together for a community clap for essential workers evolved into the Easter street decorations.

‘‘I made that beautiful bunny and it grew from there,’’ Ms Parker said.

‘‘Given the serious situation that we are in this has been a little silver lining to it, and it has been wonderful for the community to collaborate.

‘‘At last count 13 of the 16 houses that were emailed have taken part.’’

Staying at home over Easter for the first time in 12 years might have been disappointing but getting to meet their neighbours and join in the events had made the time special, she said — ‘‘it has been heartwarming seeing everyone come together.’’

PHOTOS: CHRISTINE O’CONNOR Sibling revelry . . . Ben (14, left) and Matt (10) Sinclair, of Dunedin, enjoy their Easter treats in Pacific St, Dunedin.

Ear, ear . . . Madeline (17, left) and Annabel (16) Bilkey, of Pacific St, put finishing touches to a bunny at their gate, which their mother Christine Parker cut from an old door, and the girls painted.