The St James (Thames Union Parish) Church members gathered for the weekly service at 10am. While we updated contact details and parishioners were asked to sit scattered around the beautiful church.
Leaving the church I went to the foreshore, the once busy walkway was deserted - people already wary of contact.
Driving back home past Reverend Lush's grand St George's Church - the service had been cancelled.
Now the reality is hitting, we are soon to enter a month long lockdown - at least to start with, who knows how long, who knows who will still be here. What a strange time in the history of the town and the world.
How would our ancestors have reacted? They certainly were braver than me. My grandparents like many, lived through two long wars, years of rationing, the Great Depression, and yes the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Plus various outbreaks of measles, chickenpox and polio. You were amazing people. I wonder how future generations will look back at us. As many fight for supplies, and shop till they drop, forgetting the needs of others.
Kia Kaha Thamesites, may history record that we cared for each other and that the toll was small.
If there are topics you would like to see on the blog, let me know.
Or if you have something special to share from your family history related to Thames.
Together, lets make it through this unbelievable time.
