Covid-19: Wraysbury and Horton reflect on community spirit over lockdowns

Residents in Wraysbury and Horton had already shown community spirit when they had flooding issues back in 2003 and 2014.

And when the UK went into lockdown on March 23, the two villages saw more families and individuals come together again through a range of fundraisers for the NHS.

Volunteers worked hard to make scrubs for NHS staff while others turned to raising funds by walking, singing, and even making purple poppies for the War Horse charity.

The local churches, primary school, Parish Council, shops, licensed premises, Village Club, Swan Radio, Wraysbury and Horton Voluntary Care, Wraysbury Village Trust and more all played a part to keep the community together.

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In April 2020, resident Natalie Griffin-Smith put together a Facebook group named “We’re All in this Together”.

Natalie said: “At the beginning of lockdown 2020, it concerned me greatly that children, families and the elderly in our two villages would feel isolated and lonely with the restrictions that were in place.

“I decided to set up a Facebook group and run some free initiatives that we could all get involved in and feel closer together, and, as a teacher and mum of two energetic boys, it helped me to keep busy and focussed too.”

She said the initiatives have been well supported by both villages, Wraysbury Primary School, Wraysbury News Facebook page and Swan Radio.

Natalie added: “It has been an absolute pleasure to be able to keep them going.”

The initiatives, which were suited to all ages, incorporated education, exercise, creativity, new skills, sharing of information, cooking and painting.

Because of her commitment to the community, Natalie was named winner of the Volunteer of the Year.

On May 26, 2021, a new chat bench was created by the Wraysbury Matters Group.

The colourful bench, located outside Wraysbury Baptist Church, now called The Wraysbury Hub), and is there for the community to use and get to know each other.

Wraysbury Matters Group unveiling the chat bench.

Ruth Fogg, one of the four founding members of Wraysbury Matters Group, addressed a small group of invited guests on the day.

Councillor Margaret Lenton, chair of Wraysbury Parish Council, officially unveiled the chat bench by cutting the ribbon. 

Ms Fogg said: “The idea for the chat bench emanated pre Covid, from a suggestion by local resident Mrs Faye Bowerman during a chat over coffee at one of the Wednesday Coffee Mornings, our group liked the idea, and an anonymous sponsor donated the money for the bench to be commissioned by Wraysbury Matters. 

Ms Fogg added lockdown had put the chat bench on hold.

“However, as we hopefully continue to move forward from lockdown to a more normal way of life, the chat bench is likely to be welcomed by many of our residence that have spent many months alone during lockdown,” she said.

The Wraysbury Hub is also host to a weekly Wednesday coffee morning, which was introduced back in 2007.

When Rev Carolyn Urwin moved from the church, Wraysbury and Horton Voluntary Care Group stepped in to sponsor the coffee mornings with the Frost Partnership Estate Agents donating weekly cakes for the event. 

Throughout lockdown, 60 of the Wraysbury and Horton Voluntary Care volunteers provided support for residents including offering mobile meals, pastoral care, delivering medication, shopping, transport to doctors, hospitals and Covid vaccination centres, a food bank facility and a helpline.

Another individual who put smiles on faces was Benta Hickley, of Horton, who made special ‘ginger folks’ of national and local heroes while she was stuck at home.

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Ms Hickley said: “I planned to put a dozen or so in my front window partly to thank the local keyworkers and heroes, and partly for the children to come and look at on their daily walks.

“I posted a few photos on the community Facebook page and got great responses, people suggested new ones for me to make and explained they loved waking up to a new Ginger each morning.”

The Gingers that were made to thank key workers.

Ms Hickley explained not only she found this very therapeutic but they clearly helped other people too.

She said: “The Gingers brought out the best in people: many people have experienced or seen negative comments on Facebook but there was honestly nothing other than positive feedback.”

She also decided to auction off 48 of them to raise money for the Wraysbury and Horton Voluntary Care charity.

A creative snake, named Sammi, was also made over lockdown, which is made of made specially decorated rocks.

The rocks have now been placed all together on display for the community to reflect on the hard work that was put in creating it.

And to round off 2021, Christmas spirit was in full swing as families were treated to a Santa tour in December 2021, which will now become a permanent annual journey in the two villages.