Author: gosforthcentralwi

On this dreary weather day I can’t help but think what will our social lives be like when the weather stops us meeting up outdoors? Will it feel like lockdown again or have we mentally moved away from that? Are we now more accepting of the “new norm”? Are you perhaps missing the camaraderie and community support that lockdown brought? Or are you dreading the thought that we’ll be back in lockdown again?

I’m still trying to work out my own answers – they range from “que sera” to “I’ll go doolally” 🙂 and every step in between!

What about you – It would be good to hear what other people feel and think?

So, in this “odd, uneven time”, let me remind (myself) of all the good things to look forward to…..

• cosy evenings in the warmth, as the nights draw in
• autumn colours
• snuggly clothes
• those chilly, blue skies days (or maybe an Indian summer!)
• Christmas (yes, I’m one of those who love it!)
• and, of course, a continuation of our meetings (though by Zoom for the forseeable)…

– starting with our September meeting…..on the 10 September at 7pm, Ray Lowry –  scriptwriter –  will talk to us about his career in TV working with some famous names and on very well known programmes. Should be a great way to spend an hour!

I hope to see you there 🙂

Liz

……well that’s according to the British actress Sarah Churchill anyhow.

I’m hanging onto that quote because I’m very disappointed that we still can’t have our meetings face to face. I understand why of course and have no problem sticking to the rules – I just wished it didn’t have to be this way!

On a  brighter note, our Zoom meetings continue to be a success. I know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but those who do join in seem to enjoy them. Last month’s Zoom with MP Catherine McKinnell went very well. Catherine was very obliging, talking to us about personal, local and national issues. She even made time to answer everyone’s questions…..now, how often do you hear that said about an MP 🙂

If you haven’t joined in on one of our Zoom meetings, why not give it a try? It really is straightforward to use and August’s meeting is the time to do it because we’ll be hearing from the marvelous service that is Great North Air Ambulance. GNAA are going to be our 2020/2021 charity so why not come along and hear where the money we raise is going to go.

Hopefully, when you read this, the sun will still be shining, we’ll still be feeling the warmth on our faces.

Till next time..

from a (relatively) young(ish), Liz x

Really looking forward to welcoming Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North, to our next Zoom meeting.  I don’t know about you but, to me, Westminster has never seemed so close as many of us have been glued to the news and daily briefings. It’ll be interesting to hear about that from Catherine’s perspective and just how she has managed to serve her community from her own front room!

How can it be that some days seem to drag but the weeks still fly by?

Whatever the last 12 weeks have brought you, I hope there has been some joy and peace during the “trying” times. In fact, I was just thinking this morning how I’ve redefined “joy” and find some of it in simple pleasures – like, turning up at the supermarket and there were only 2 people in the queue! Yes, really! Whoever thought that would bring me pleasure….my, how times have changed 🙂

And, I wonder what the next 12 weeks will bring? Hopefully we’ll be on top of this thing. Hopefully people won’t be dying from it. Hopefully, those having to isolate will feel confident about going out again. Maybe we’ll have our meetings face to face instead of by Zoom…..maybe we can have coffee inside a cafe! So many things to look forward to…

In the words of (someone – cant remember who)..

“Stay strong. Things will get better.It may be stormy now, but it can never rain forever” (Even though the gardens need a good dollop of it at the moment!

Liz x

Cath Snowden has been busy – aren’t these fabulous. Face masks and hearts for the NHS.

Well done Cath 🙂