Timberscombe and the Covid-19 Pandemic, 2021
Title
Timberscombe and the Covid-19 Pandemic, 2021
Subject
Description
By the 3rd of January 2021, the death toll from Covid-19 in the UK had passed 75,000. A mere ten days later, over 100,000 people had died (1).
Since the UK's first lockdown in March 2020, the country was hoping for a vaccine and the first one was administered on 8 December 2020 in England at the University Hospital in Coventry. The recipient was Margaret Keenan, a grandmother, one week before her 91st birthday (2). While the news of a vaccine was greeted (mostly) with great relief, the reality that the UK was the first country in the world to deploy a Covid-19 vaccine was also a matter of national pride (3). The second recipient, also at University Hospital, was an 81-year old man named William Shakespeare, perhaps just a tiny bit of British cheek.
By the 15th of December, the first batches of Covid-19 in West Somerset were rolled out in Taunton, Glastonbury, Berrow and Yeovil by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations, with the first shots given to those over 80 years of age and health and care staff (4). While the vaccinations were not administered at National Health Service surgeries, the NHS undertook contacting individuals and arranging their times and places for vaccinations. Taunton being closest, it is where most people from Timberscombe and who qualified first went, specifically to the Taunton Racecourse. Soon there were more and closer locations-- such as the Minehead Hospital-- and younger age categories were contacted. To the great credit of the women and men who created the vaccines, the NHS and even the government, by the third of February 2021 the numbers of first vaccinations offered in the South West alone exceeded one million (5). The top photograph seen here is from the cover of an NHS leaflet titled "A Guide to your COVID-19 Vaccination" released early in 2021, full of photographs and illustrations in an "Easy Read" style, addressing most questions any individual might have had (6).
Life was not easy though. Children were not in school and falling behind in learning. The majority of people worked from home (many with their children there too), not always the best thing for their productivity or their families. Not being able to see friends or relations was difficult and sometimes devastating (such as a parent dying and not able to be there). Yet with the speedy rush of vaccinations and continued winter restrictions, there was a sharp drop in caseloads (7). A hopeful Britain was told they could look forward to reopening on 21 June 2021, labelled by the government as "Freedom Day" (8).
Unfortunately, in late March 2021, the Delta variant (the B. 1. 6172 strain of SARS-Cov-2) arrived in Britain. Appearing first in India in the late autumn of 2020, it was 50% more transmissible than the Wuhan strain, and precipitated a 3rd wave of infections in the UK. On Wednesday alone, the 16th of June 2021, there were more than 9,000 new cases (9).
What followed was at the least, confusion. On the 14th of June, the government admitted there might be a delay of Freedom Day and on the 16th (the same day of the 9,000+ cases) MPs approved delaying most easing of lockdown restrictions. The target date was kept and the vast majority of restrictions, including social distancing, were lifted on 19 July 2021. On the same day the United States (which in general was not increasing their restrictions either), ironically advised American citizens not to travel to the UK (10). Yet in Britain, cases did decline in later July. This was believed by most to be the result of the high vaccination rates. In the US, where the overall rates of vaccinations was lower, Covid cases did somewhat fall but those ill, continued to have a much higher death rate per capita (11).
The second photograph was taken during "The Bougham Bash" at the home of Kate Hart. It was a fundraising Garden Party and barbeque for St. Petrock's Church. It took place on the 21st of July 2021, having been postponed from the previous month. Some came nervously and others were not ready to attend. Some precautions were taken--as seen in the photograph, it was an outdoor event and booths and tables were somewhat distanced. Also it had been raining and it remained a bit chilly. Yet, by any measure, the gathering was a success. After all there had been nothing like this allowed the summer before and indeed for almost a year and a half. For many people, it was a first outing and besides supporting the church, there was a sense of celebration (and of some relief). A bottle of whisky is evident on the table at the bottom right of the photograph, where Harry Jeffrey, Hermione Halpin and Alan Hines are seated. One of them had a lucky number and it had been a long wait for a raffle.
With things improving, by the 30th of July 2021, the UK began delivering 9 million Covid-19 vaccines abroad, where they were needed and in late August, launched a Covid-19 antibody testing program. On 7 September, an amber travel list was scrapped in the UK, replaced by a red or green traffic light signalling where it was safer to visit.
Yet with October, the number of infections began to climb again. On the 21st of the month, over 50,000 people tested positive on a single day, the highest reading since July. But as the number of cases increased, the percentage that resulted in death was not moving as quickly as before, and it was decided not to shut shops, businesses or restaurants.
Still on the 2nd of November, another 293 deaths occurred in 24 hours, the highest number since the previous February (12). Articles began to appear, such as in the New York Times on the 4th of November, headlined "Rising U.K. Cases Can Offer Lessons for the U.S. "(13). On the 27th of the same month, face coverings did become mandatory again in shops and on public transport. Any arrivals, British or foreign, coming into the country had to isolate until they received a negative PCR test result. These actions coincided with the first cases of the Omicron variant, a new strain of the virus (14).
On the 8th of December, a grim Boris Johnson advised people to return to working at home. The 16th of December was the second day in a row of the highest number of new cases recorded since the beginning of the pandemic, almost 90,000 people on each (15). Because of covid concerns, on the 20th of December, Queen Elizabeth announced that she would not travel to Sandringham, where she usually spent Christmas Day, but would remain in place at Windsor Castle (16)
Thus Christmas 2021 was a perplexing situation for churches, being open but then again, not so open..The bottom two photographs were taken at the crib service for St. Petrock's on 24 December 2021. Associate Priest, Rev. Margaret Jackson met those who attended at the west churchyard gate. Seen with her, from left to right are Alan Hines, Gwynnie Poole and Elisabeth Powls, all three bellringers (Elizabeth was the Tower Captain), who in other seasons might be in the bell tower.
Whereas previous crib service congregations would be seated inside the church, Rev. Jackson led them up the pathway to the North Porch of St. Petrock's. Children who would normally be inside, perhaps dressed variously as angels, Marys, Josephs, Shepherds or Wise Men were dressed in their 2021 clothing but were encouraged by Rev. Jackson to participate in the telling of the Christmas story, which they and Margaret both did with humour---perhaps a bit more relaxed with being outside. As evident in the bottom photograph, the approach revealed the crib and manger within the darkness of the porch--with a squint of the eye (and imagination) similar to what the shepherds and Wise Men saw when nearing the stable.
On Boxing Day, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland re-introduced new Covid restrictions. England did not (17).
Since the UK's first lockdown in March 2020, the country was hoping for a vaccine and the first one was administered on 8 December 2020 in England at the University Hospital in Coventry. The recipient was Margaret Keenan, a grandmother, one week before her 91st birthday (2). While the news of a vaccine was greeted (mostly) with great relief, the reality that the UK was the first country in the world to deploy a Covid-19 vaccine was also a matter of national pride (3). The second recipient, also at University Hospital, was an 81-year old man named William Shakespeare, perhaps just a tiny bit of British cheek.
By the 15th of December, the first batches of Covid-19 in West Somerset were rolled out in Taunton, Glastonbury, Berrow and Yeovil by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisations, with the first shots given to those over 80 years of age and health and care staff (4). While the vaccinations were not administered at National Health Service surgeries, the NHS undertook contacting individuals and arranging their times and places for vaccinations. Taunton being closest, it is where most people from Timberscombe and who qualified first went, specifically to the Taunton Racecourse. Soon there were more and closer locations-- such as the Minehead Hospital-- and younger age categories were contacted. To the great credit of the women and men who created the vaccines, the NHS and even the government, by the third of February 2021 the numbers of first vaccinations offered in the South West alone exceeded one million (5). The top photograph seen here is from the cover of an NHS leaflet titled "A Guide to your COVID-19 Vaccination" released early in 2021, full of photographs and illustrations in an "Easy Read" style, addressing most questions any individual might have had (6).
Life was not easy though. Children were not in school and falling behind in learning. The majority of people worked from home (many with their children there too), not always the best thing for their productivity or their families. Not being able to see friends or relations was difficult and sometimes devastating (such as a parent dying and not able to be there). Yet with the speedy rush of vaccinations and continued winter restrictions, there was a sharp drop in caseloads (7). A hopeful Britain was told they could look forward to reopening on 21 June 2021, labelled by the government as "Freedom Day" (8).
Unfortunately, in late March 2021, the Delta variant (the B. 1. 6172 strain of SARS-Cov-2) arrived in Britain. Appearing first in India in the late autumn of 2020, it was 50% more transmissible than the Wuhan strain, and precipitated a 3rd wave of infections in the UK. On Wednesday alone, the 16th of June 2021, there were more than 9,000 new cases (9).
What followed was at the least, confusion. On the 14th of June, the government admitted there might be a delay of Freedom Day and on the 16th (the same day of the 9,000+ cases) MPs approved delaying most easing of lockdown restrictions. The target date was kept and the vast majority of restrictions, including social distancing, were lifted on 19 July 2021. On the same day the United States (which in general was not increasing their restrictions either), ironically advised American citizens not to travel to the UK (10). Yet in Britain, cases did decline in later July. This was believed by most to be the result of the high vaccination rates. In the US, where the overall rates of vaccinations was lower, Covid cases did somewhat fall but those ill, continued to have a much higher death rate per capita (11).
The second photograph was taken during "The Bougham Bash" at the home of Kate Hart. It was a fundraising Garden Party and barbeque for St. Petrock's Church. It took place on the 21st of July 2021, having been postponed from the previous month. Some came nervously and others were not ready to attend. Some precautions were taken--as seen in the photograph, it was an outdoor event and booths and tables were somewhat distanced. Also it had been raining and it remained a bit chilly. Yet, by any measure, the gathering was a success. After all there had been nothing like this allowed the summer before and indeed for almost a year and a half. For many people, it was a first outing and besides supporting the church, there was a sense of celebration (and of some relief). A bottle of whisky is evident on the table at the bottom right of the photograph, where Harry Jeffrey, Hermione Halpin and Alan Hines are seated. One of them had a lucky number and it had been a long wait for a raffle.
With things improving, by the 30th of July 2021, the UK began delivering 9 million Covid-19 vaccines abroad, where they were needed and in late August, launched a Covid-19 antibody testing program. On 7 September, an amber travel list was scrapped in the UK, replaced by a red or green traffic light signalling where it was safer to visit.
Yet with October, the number of infections began to climb again. On the 21st of the month, over 50,000 people tested positive on a single day, the highest reading since July. But as the number of cases increased, the percentage that resulted in death was not moving as quickly as before, and it was decided not to shut shops, businesses or restaurants.
Still on the 2nd of November, another 293 deaths occurred in 24 hours, the highest number since the previous February (12). Articles began to appear, such as in the New York Times on the 4th of November, headlined "Rising U.K. Cases Can Offer Lessons for the U.S. "(13). On the 27th of the same month, face coverings did become mandatory again in shops and on public transport. Any arrivals, British or foreign, coming into the country had to isolate until they received a negative PCR test result. These actions coincided with the first cases of the Omicron variant, a new strain of the virus (14).
On the 8th of December, a grim Boris Johnson advised people to return to working at home. The 16th of December was the second day in a row of the highest number of new cases recorded since the beginning of the pandemic, almost 90,000 people on each (15). Because of covid concerns, on the 20th of December, Queen Elizabeth announced that she would not travel to Sandringham, where she usually spent Christmas Day, but would remain in place at Windsor Castle (16)
Thus Christmas 2021 was a perplexing situation for churches, being open but then again, not so open..The bottom two photographs were taken at the crib service for St. Petrock's on 24 December 2021. Associate Priest, Rev. Margaret Jackson met those who attended at the west churchyard gate. Seen with her, from left to right are Alan Hines, Gwynnie Poole and Elisabeth Powls, all three bellringers (Elizabeth was the Tower Captain), who in other seasons might be in the bell tower.
Whereas previous crib service congregations would be seated inside the church, Rev. Jackson led them up the pathway to the North Porch of St. Petrock's. Children who would normally be inside, perhaps dressed variously as angels, Marys, Josephs, Shepherds or Wise Men were dressed in their 2021 clothing but were encouraged by Rev. Jackson to participate in the telling of the Christmas story, which they and Margaret both did with humour---perhaps a bit more relaxed with being outside. As evident in the bottom photograph, the approach revealed the crib and manger within the darkness of the porch--with a squint of the eye (and imagination) similar to what the shepherds and Wise Men saw when nearing the stable.
On Boxing Day, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland re-introduced new Covid restrictions. England did not (17).
Creator
National Health Service /
Tom Sperling /
Tom Sperling /
Anne Stamford
Tom Sperling /
Tom Sperling /
Anne Stamford
Publisher
assets. publishing, services.gov. uk (for the cover photograph of " Guide to Your Covid-19 Vaccination")
Date
2021
21 July 2021
24 December 2021
24 December 2021
21 July 2021
24 December 2021
24 December 2021
Contributor
Language
English
Identifier
cover of "A Guide to Your Covid-19 Vaccination", National Health Service, early 2012 / benefit barbeque at Bougham, 21 July 2021 / two photographs of the crib service at St. Petrock's Church, 24 December 2021 / Timberscombe
Acquisition Date
2022
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
Acquisition Method
Research
Gift
Gift
Gift
Gift
Gift
Gift
Category
PLACES: Churches and Chapels / Timberscombe
PEOPLE: Named / Timberscombe
PEOPLE: Occupations / Timberscombe
PEOPLE: Named / Timberscombe
PEOPLE: Occupations / Timberscombe
Condition
Good
Condition Notes
entered by Tom Sperling
Condition Date
2022
Dimension Type
W X L
Dimension Units
cm
Dimension Value
13.5 X 18 (SP-329B)
16 X 15 (SP-329C)
10 X 19.5. (SP-329D)
16 X 15 (SP-329C)
10 X 19.5. (SP-329D)
Institution Name
St. Petrock's History Group
Notes
(1) British Foreign Policy Timeline/ bfpg.co.uk (2) BBC News, bbc.co,/news/uk (3) gov.uk/government/new/UK (4) somersetcountygazette.co.uk, by Paul Jones, Editor, Head of News, 15 December 2020 (5) somersetft.nhs.uk (6) cover for UK Health Security, Easy Read, NHS, "A Guide to Your Covid-19 Vaccination", 2021, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk (7) "Cautionary Lessons on Covid From Britain", THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL, Thursday, November 4, 2021, subtitled "The Morning" by David Leonhardt and Claire Moses (8) British Foreign Policy Timeline (9) wired.co.uk/delta-variant.UK (10) British Foreign Policy Timeline (11) "Cautionary Lessons on Covid From Britain", THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL (12) British Foreign Policy Timeline (13)"Cautionary Lessons on Covid From Britain", THE NEW YORK TIMES INTERNATIONAL (14) gov.uk/government (15) Office For National Statistics, ons.gov.uk (16)"What Are the New Covid Rules in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland," by Jessica Elgot, Sunday 26 December 2021 , theguardian.com and reuters.com>wales-bring-new-restrictions
Storage Location
St. Petrock's History Group Archive
Storage Date
2022
Storage Notes
ST. Petrock's History Group PHOTOGRAPHS
Item Reference
SP-329
Technique
Copies
Citation
National Health Service /
Tom Sperling /
Tom Sperling /
Anne Stamford, “Timberscombe and the Covid-19 Pandemic, 2021,” St. Petrock's History Group, accessed April 19, 2024, https://stpetrockshistorygroup.omeka.net/items/show/3591.
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