Street party that keeps going
IT was March 12 when Kate Gray first saw footage of Italians singing from their balconies to boost morale and show unity during Covid-19 lockdown.
Ireland was soon to enter its own lockdown and she thought, ‘Why can’t we do that here?’
She looked out her window in Killiney, Co. Dublin, and was forced to confront the reality that she knew no one there, despite having lived in her cul de sac for more than 11 years.
Two days later with her printer out of ink, Kate – who is a primary school teacher –
JUNE
Ken and Julie enjoy birthday drinks with Vlad and his family made handwritten notes that she photocopied and dropped into each house on her road.
‘It is important as a community to come together at difficult times,’ she wrote. ‘For that reason we are inviting anyone in the cul de sac who is interested to come to their doors at 7pm this evening with a cup of tea, glass of wine, hot water bottle for an opportunity to get to know each other and help those who may feel isolated… See you at 7pm.’
What happened next will stay with Kate forever – and her neighbours too.
Long after the Italians stopped singing, the cul-de-sac residents continued to meet every night at 7pm.
‘There have been no exceptions, we are out in the rain, wind or sun,’ admits Kate.
‘We have been singing together, dancing, playing bingo, playing tennis, hopscotch, scooting, kite flying and generally acting the maggot.
‘The highlight of the week is take away night on Friday
night, be it fish and chips, pizza, restaurant deliveries – and candelabras and table cloths are a must! Whoever fancies “eating out” puts in an order for 7pm for delivery and we sit on the pathway outside our homes.
‘We’ve celebrated birthdays, we delivered Easter Eggs to every house as a little surprise on Easter morning, we have toasted marshmallows and lit the fire pit when the weather has been a little chilly.
Carmel has a treat while watching a game of tennis
‘We have come together in silence and we have shone our lights to remember those that haven’t made it and we have applauded the frontline staff for all their amazing work.
‘Every day I feel so thankful that I popped the note in everyone’s door, I feel truly blessed that people who were strangers to me seven months ago are now people I can call friends.
‘One of the neighbours came up with the word “Covidleness” to describe what we are doing in our small community, such a beautiful word to describe such beautiful things that have happened during this time between people who were strangers but now are now friends.’
Kate’s advice to others during this second lockdown is to reach out.
‘Who knows how long this thing [lockdown] will go on?’ she says. ‘There are so many lonely people out there. If you can get in touch, it’s easier when you’re together.’