News in Shotley Peninsula

Bible Reading - Acts 4: 33 – 36

With many pubs and takeaways fighting a bitter battle just to survive the Hungry Hack has decided to try out each one of the menus we get to know about.

The latest is the Butt and Oyster at Pin Mill, famed for its beautiful location, Arthur Ransome and a litany of barge, boat-building and fishing characters.

My thoughts for Pentecost -

Yes this will be Pentecost Sunday but it seems less like Pentecost than I could ever have imagined or experienced before. It reminds me that at the first Pentecost the disciples were waiting in a room, scared to go out and scared to meet or speak to other people, which sounds rather similar to the situation we currently find ourselves in. 

We are all appalled by the destructiveness of Covid-19 not least because it's new to us. And we want to return to life as normal.

But that normal has been far more destructive than the virus: globally the deaths from the virus is currently over five million and yet, according to the World Health Organisation, pollution (largely from traffic) causes heart attacks and strokes amongst other serious conditions - and seven million deaths. And that is each year, every year.

Anyone who knows the main route from Wherstead to Shotley Gate and has ventured along the said B1456 of late, will know that while car traffic has dropped noticeably, the amount of cyclists along there has risen exponentially.

For the most part waiting for a few moments for a clear piece of road to pass them is no big deal, the majority of the lycra-clad brigade are head down in single file and a fully entitled to be wheeling along.

I remember seeing it so well.

The fear. The shock. All unable to speak. Tears roll down their faces when they hear the truth.

Derek Davis, Babergh District Council Report, Ganges ward

So many stars stepping up

First of all, I must praise the outstanding work so many people have done within Ganges ward. Volunteers, council officers and contractors, NHS staff and key-workers, including the amazing shop staff at Manish's Premier Store and Post Office, have stepped up to help the most vulnerable.

There seems to be little sign of the current lock down restrictions being lifted any time soon and after the initial few weeks of adjustment, wrapping our heads around the changes to our daily lives, many of us will be experiencing feelings of isolation, loss of control and frustration.

While technology has enabled us to keep in touch with others and share our feelings, this may also be a good time to communicate with ourselves. Creative journalling is an ideal way to maintain good mental health during this time and all you need is a pen, a notebook, less than 30 minutes per day to write and your imagination.

The Coronavirus has taken the world by storm. It's forced people to remain at home and of businesses on the peninsula to change their working practises by moving to remote working or simply shutting up shop.

An unexpected and unwelcome side-effect of the crisis has been the sharp rise in the number of business owners who have suddenly been left with unoccupied properties.

With many pubs and takeaways fighting a bitter battle just to survive, the Hungry Hack has decided to try out each one of the menus we get to know about.

This time I met the lovely Fiona who runs the mobile Dolly's Pizza and enjoyed a lovely takeaway and chat.