Toft 2020

The month of May was almost completely devoid of rain.
Rain fell on only 3 days, although the first of which (1st May), was only just measurable at 0.1mm.
The total amount for the month was just 3.5mm, which is only 7% of the May average of 49.2mm over the previous 27 years. The year to date total is 168.4mm compared to the average of 213.9mm.
The daily amounts (or rather lack of!) are shown in the attached table.

Here in Toft, Sewing, Knit and Natter continued throughout April and May in the "war effort" versus COVID-19 to make scrubs bags, for use by staff in local hospitals. When Addenbrookes made the request for scrubs bags the group in turn appealed for fabric, and were then inundated with not only new fabric but pillowcases, sheets and duvets from generous friends both in the village and beyond.

As a result the group was able to send more than 100 scrubs bags to Addenbrookes for distribution to staff. More bags were also given direct to local nurses who expressed the need for these bags for themselves and colleagues.

The group then moved on to making bags for Home Meadow here in Toft and along with every member of staff being given a bag they were able to give the home as many again for stock plus more for a sister home.

Thanks go to everyone who helped make the bags - not everyone a member of Sewing, Knit and Natter.

May
The Coronavirus lockdown continued during May. The basic rules have been to stay indoors, with the only exception being some exercise and essential visits for groceries etc.  Most folks have been working from home or furloughed. Slowly it is now beginning to open up with people being encouraged to return to work if they can do safely and in June there can be some small gatherings with social (2m) distancing. I'm not aware of any confirmed cases in the village but there are still about 2000 new cases in the UK everyday compared to about 5000 at its peak.
So, the village has been quiet. We have had excellent record breaking warm and sunny weather throughout the month.
The planned VE Day celebrations and Spring Feast events were of course cancelled. However, VE Day was marked by many residents in Toft who put out bunting, flags and, in one case, a photo exhibition of family members who had served in the war. David Mitchell played the last post at 11.02 and just before 3pm on the village green. Some residents had socially-distanced tea parties and also celebrated with other, stronger refreshments. In the evening, after the Queen’s address to the nation, people sang Vera Lynn’s WWII classic song We’ll meet again, which was played from Toft People’s Hall for those living nearby to sing along to. Other streets had similar sing songs.
We've had excitement in the sky with two Spitfire fly pasts, one to celebrate the VE day 75 year celebrations and one for the last of the evening clap for the NHS. We were also treated to a splendid heart created in the sky by Mark Jefferies. We also saw the first commercial manned spacecraft cross the southern sky on 30th May on its way to the International Space Station. The events have been recorded elsewhere on the web page.
Martin S has started regular quizzes via Zoom and a regular virtual opening of the Social Club on Friday evenings. I think it's true to say that most folks are of good spirit despite the circumstances.

The link below takes us to a piece of music written to remember a Consultant Neonatologist Dr Vishna Rasiah who died from Coronavirus. The opening singer is the daughter of Sally and Brian Elsdon;  Rebbecca Ledgard who spent her first 24 years here in Toft and is now married living in Stratford upon Avon and is the Director of Education for Ex-Cathedra. Ex-Cathedra is a leading UK choir which also does extensive education and participation projects as well as some valuable charitable work.
It's a beautiful piece.  
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB9j6HKlKciq3_Tanhzvnkg