Frances Blois Master's Blog, March 2020
I had hoped to write this following the Massey Shaw Dinner scheduled for March 20th at Cutlers Hall, it was to have been a splendid evening and there was also a waiting list, I had looked forward to meeting you all. Events have however taken another turn and as we all know Covid-19 has curtailed all events and put us all into lockdown. London is one of the worst affected with the Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister also succumbing.
The events in November, with the Lord Mayor’s Show, Remembrance Sunday, Christmas Carol Services and into the New Year seem to be a long time ago including the horrendous London Bridge Terrorist attack emanating from Fishmongers Hall.
I am writing this in (age) isolation from my flat which overlooks Vincent Square (see picture) and is the first time in 25 years that I have lived here 24/7, quite a new experience. I have a long list of things to sort out, so little time to get bored. Meetings have a whole new vocabulary and as long as the broadband is robust a new way of ‘Distant Socialising’ is possible. My first School Governors Meeting was on Skype, followed by WhatsApp groups, Go ToMeeting and Zoom - tea at 3pm with the local Vicar, a session with the Personal Trainer, once a week with the Wardens, Clerk and other Key Members of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters. Most important meetings are likely to take place online for the foreseeable future. I work two days a week from home, no new experience here and ring annually about 20 pensioners a week from the Oil Company I used to work for, these calls are very much appreciated. Most pensioners are at home at present and many have good neighbours and families to support them. Based on this model Colin Simpson is in the process of setting up a contact system for members of the Company to keep in touch.
The offers of help from everyone is amazing, although some of the future predictions seem rather worrying. My first unrelated online funeral was an experience as is the complete closure of all places of worship. The last high profile event at Westminster Abbey was the Commonwealth Service which was truly splendid. The Company visit to Westminster Abbey, planned for May unfortunately has had to be postponed.
There is information all the time on the radio and people who are in the main working from home now have time to catch up and keep an eye on the vulnerable members of the community. Daily exercise is essential and access to the local shops is now settling down.
Please keep you and your families safe, if you have any issues you would like to speak to me about, please email Steven Tamcken (clerk@firefighterscompany.org) who will pass on the message.
Frances Blois.
Master
March 2020