The Grinch (aka Covid-19) might have stolen the Mill Road Winter Fair, but the Winter Fair committee have an alternative plan to celebrate Mill Road’s ‘Community of Communities’.
Current Chair of the Fair Committee, Kate Collins, says: “We are so sad to have to cancel what would have been our 16th Fair. The Fair has always been important to traders, performers, and the local community. It is a great way to bring people together and to celebrate this unique part of Cambridge.Government restrictions do not allow large gatherings and it is impossible to know if this will be relaxed by December.
Romans & inter-faith blessings at the Perowne Street stage 2018
“With this in mind, we will be coordinating a community project, Mill Road Lanterns, in what would have been the run up to the Fair to draw people to the road and to keep the spirit of the Fair alight. This and other local community projects are funded by a new charity, Love Mill Road, and we are thrilled that this will help to make the Fair more sustainable long- term.”
Love Mill Roadhas grown from the Fair and from the legacy of the Suzy Oakes Trust. The charity (which can benefit from Gift Aid) has been established to provide a way to channel sponsorship and donations to Mill Road community projects taking place throughout the year, including the non-commercial aspects of the Mill Road Winter Fair.
Mill Road Lanternswill celebrate the identity and culture of Mill Road, highlighting the diversity, history and independence of the neighbourhood. Throughout the summer, local residents and schoolchildren from some of the side streets off Mill Road have been putting together words and images to reflect what is special about their community. These are being transformed by local artist and illustrator, Penny Sobr, into ten stunning community lanterns which will be hung in shops on either side of the Mill Road Bridge. The lanterns will be illuminated in the first two weeks of December, spanning the weekend when this year’s Fair was to take place. We hope to add further lanterns to represent Mill Road streets, schools and organisations in the years to come and that the lanterns will form the core of the community parade in future Fairs.
An illustrated Mill Road Trail will accompany the lanterns project and will depict the personality and individuality of Cambridge’s most vibrant neighbourhood. It will feature lantern venues as well as other places of interest. The Mill Road Trail will be launched at the end of November; we hope it will encourage people to come to Mill Road to explore its shops, eat in its cafés and generally soak up the special Mill Road vibe.
Finally, for those of you who are missing attending the Fair, from from 1st to 14th December, the Mill Road Winter Fair website will host Mill Road Fair Online, promoting many of the local performers, artists, organisations and charities who would have been there on the day.
We can’t replace the 2020 Fair but, with the help of Love Mill Road, we can shine a spotlight on some of Mill Road’s stories, buildings, history and culture.
“The current bridge restrictions are having a detrimental effect on Mill Road Traders, residents and shoppers”
This was the message delivered by Shapour Meftah, chair of Mill Road Traders’ Association to senior County Councillors, council officers and contractors, at a meeting, on Wednesday 9th September at 2.30pm on Donkey Common, (next to Parkside Pools).
Cambridgeshire County Council and contractors were represented by Chair and Vice Chair of Highways and Transport Committee, Ian Bates and Mark Howell, contractor Skansa’s Principle Engineer, Anthony Eades, and County officers; Sonia Hansen (Traffic Manager) and Andhika Caddy (Engineer).
Causing not less but MORE pollution because alternative routes for car drivers take longer and are over-congested
No access to disabled badge holders and emergency vehicles
The bollards and barriers have narrowed the road and resulted in more major traffic incidents along Mill Road and danger to cyclists and pedestrians
The dangers of the build out particularly to cyclists with on coming traffic as well as buses which try to overtake parents with their children
Disconnecting people from one side of Mill road to the other; It was explained to those present that Mill Road is not divided by the two boundaries it is ONE road
Following the 2019 rail works on the bridge and the ongoing gas works one obstacle after another has paralysed businesses and Mill Road has not been given a chance to get back on its feet after months of national pandemic lockdown and enforced closure of businesses
Closing the bridge hasn’t helped at all towards social distancing which is, by the government’s own admission not such a risk when passing someone in the street (sic on the closed bridge itself which was the contrived reason given for its closure) whereas gathering or waiting outside restaurants may be
People don’t feel safe walking; the government emphasis on encouraging people not to use public transport has made people feel that they are safer in their cars.
A number of shops are closing down on Mill Road due to the lack of footfall which has been caused by the bridge closure to cars
The Mill Road Traders’ Association Survey results and the ongoing Open Mill Road Bridge Petition which has already attracted over 2000 signatures was presented to Councillor Ian Bates and his team.
The survey assessed the impact of the bridge restrictions on both traders and residents within the Petersfield and Romsey wards. 187 Businesses were sent out surveys and 170responses were received. The 17 businesses which did not respond are no longer trading at this moment. See graphics, below.
4.8 % (8 businesses) in Mill Road support the current restrictions
87.6% of businesses want the bridge fully open
7.6 % of businesses don’t mind
92.9 % are independent businesses
7.1 % are not independent
100% of businesses felt that the Council Consultation was inadequate
76.5% of independent businesses say that they are suffering
17.6% of businesses report no change
5.9% say they have benefitted from the restrictions
Councillor Ian Bates responded was that the County Council are listening and will will be reviewing the results of the Mill Road Traders’ Association survey. For the time being, Traders and Residents have been advised by the County Council to send all their objections to: policyandregulation@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Leading members of Mill Road Traders’ Association say that they doubt the sincerity of this ‘listening’, noting that the Minister of Transport who awarded the funds to the county for these ‘temporary measures’ Grant Shapps has forced his own constituency at Welwyn to reverse the restrictions on the high street saying that it benefitted no one.
Please note: Mill Road Bridges is happy to publish views from any section of Mill Road’s Community of Communities. And to host comments, replies and debate.
The publication of this post by Mill Road Bridges should not be considered an endorsement of the views of the Mill Road Traders’ Association nor of the objections to the Mill Road traffic-reduction measures and associated restrictions on the railway bridge. Neither should this statement be read as one of opposition to their views.
The press release, upon which this post is based, released under the name of Shapour Meftah, Chair, Mill Road Traders’ Association, continues with allegations of ‘collaboration’ and ‘bias’.
Mill Road Bridges does not wish to censor any viewpoint but declines to publish such allegations. Were the press release to be found on the Mill Road Traders’ Association website, we would link to that, for people to view and form their own opinion. The Traders’ website, however, does not appear to have been updated recently.
We take a similar attitude to comments on our website. We aspire to host polite debate on all matters concerning Mill Road.
How is the pandemic affecting our Muslim community? And how is the mosque helping Mill Road’s ‘Community of Communities? Our Web-Editor thought it would be good to share the latest update with the whole of Mill Road’s ‘Community of Communities’.
Our earlier post on Cambridge Central Mosque in Lockdown reflected the sadness felt by Cambridge’s Muslims (and other Mill Roaders alike) that, after ten years of hard work to bring this beautiful new mosque to fruition, it had to close to worship and all other activities.
We are delighted to learn, in the latest newsletter, of how Cambridge Central Mosque are now able to accommodate worshipers and of outreach work by the brothers and sisters of the mosque.
Click on the image to read/download the full PDF Newsletter
Read, too, about a new sculpture celebrating role of Muslim scholarship and science in transmitting the Zero to the West, ushering in a new era in the development of mathematics.
For those who remember the Monty Python sketch What Did The Romans Ever Do For Us? maybe the Zero – the most revolutionary ‘nothing’ from the Hindu–Arabic numeral system – is the Islamic equivalent.
SPORTS AMBASSADORS
Cambridge Central Mosque will be organising a variety of sports tournaments in the Summer of 2021, and are currently recruiting Sports Ambassadors. Find out more on the Mosque website.
To keep up-to-date with all of the news from Cambridge Central Mosque you can sign up to their newsletter at the foot of the Mosque’s home page and, indeed, at the foot of each post on the Mosque website.
Some players from both orchestras perform in a Wind Quintet – “Wind in the Willows”. We are keen to play as much as possible, promoting the more unusual orchestral instruments to potential players young and old. Without these instruments being taken up by young players, there will be no future orchestras.
Melinda Rigby
If you (or your children) are interested in joining (or helping with the admin of) a performing group, an orchestra, a trio, quartet, quintet, sextet, septet… contact Melinda for further details.
You are welcome to comment (politely) below…
And do scroll down to the foot of this post to subscribe to the Mill Road Bridges website.
Nina Lübbren, Romsey, published this measured and sensible comment elsewhere on an invitation-only social network. It is reproduced here with Nina’s permission.
At this point, I feel it would be useful to disentangle several issues about the Mill Road bridge closure.
The lack of consultation. Probably most of us would have preferred more consultation but also understand why no consultation took place (because of government requiring immediate action).
The need for social distancing. We can probably all agree that it is vital to enable social distancing for anybody crossing the bridge. Pedestrians have to step onto the road to keep a distance. Cyclists have to cycle in the middle of the road to keep a distance. People in cars are protected from the air outside but are faced with pedestrians and cyclists on the road. This was not a safe scenario.
Decreased traffic; less pollution. A separate issue to 1. and 2. As with last year’s closure of the bridge, the decrease of pollution and traffic (and possible moving of this pollution and traffic elsewhere) is a side-effect of the closure of the bridge. Neither last year’s or this year’s closure was effected in order to address pollution. A joined-up urban planning measure with due consultation and a gathering of statistical data (pollution levels etc) needs to be undertaken in order to address this.
Adverse effect on traders. This can be linked to 1. above but does not affect 2.
Accessibility. For those who cannot cross the bridge by bike or on foot, there will need to be provision made, and quickly. Again, this is linked to 1. but now that the urgency of immediate action has passed, I would hope that the [Cambridgeshire County] Council puts measures in place to address both 2. and 5.
Do you have views about the measures which Cambridgeshire County Council are taking? How is it working so far… for you? Whatever your view, as long as it is expressed politely, you can add your comments below. Or on many of the posts above.
We are delighted to see Mill Road’s charity shops re-opening, though, sadly, one (Cats Protection) has closed permanently, Here’s what we can find, so far, arranged in order, from the city end of Mill Road towards Brookfields.
Contact Details
We have given a telephone contact Nº for each shop and, where possible an email address. We will update this post with any changes of which we are notified, but it’s worth checking ahead for any changes, and particularly if you’re offering large donations of pre-loved items.
Donations
Please check when and if your favourite charity shop can take donations. Try emailing or phoning beforehand, if in doubt.
Never leave intended donations outside of charity shops out-of-hours. When the shop re-opens the items may have become soiled, rain-soaked or may have been partly stolen with the unwanted items strewn all around. Not only does this give the shop’s volunteer staff additional work, you could find yourself fined for fly-tipping.
We are delighted to be open again and it has been wonderful to see so many customers returning to our Mill Road bookshop.
Opening days and times may vary for the foreseeable future while we work to get fully up and running again and we will keep them updated on this page. If you are making a special journey to the shop, please ring ahead to check that we are definitely open.
In order to enable physical distancing, we can only admit a few customers to the shop at any one time, and a physically distanced queuing system will be in place outside the shop.
If you wish to make a donation that is larger than one person can carry to the shop in one trip, please call the shop (01223 362496) or contact us by email before you set off. We must ensure that we have sufficient space to accept your donation and to arrange a time to be able to do so.
For everyone’s safety, all donations will be quarantined. Please also note that we are now no longer able to accept donations of the following items: DVDs/Blu Ray discs, CDs, and vinyl records. As always, please do not leave donations outside the shop.
Hurrah! Our lovely Sally Ann’s shop has reopened. Both parts have been reorganised to introduce a one-way system and facilitate social distancing. Hand sanitiser is readily available. It is wonderful to see the team again and, as before, to look for treasures.
Caro Wilson, local resident
Sally Ann’s is the Salvation Army charity shop, located in our recently refurbished premises next door to our Church in Tenison Road.
It’s purpose is primarily for fund raising, supporting our Community Centre which is located close by at 104 Mill Road.
It is open six days a week, shutting at lunch time on a Saturday.
Please note that following closure due to COVID19, we are pleased to announce that we are be re-opening our Shop on Monday 3rd August at 1pm with reduced hours and for a period, we will not be open on Saturday.
Sally Ann’s may be able to accept a couple of modestly-sized bags per donor in the mornings, but probably not after midday. If in doubt, telephone 01223 316161 or email shop@camsa.org.uk to check when Sally Ann’s can accept your donations. This is essential for larger items.
Cats Protection Charity Shop – permanently closed
172 Mill Road Cambridge CB1 3LP
Our charity shop on Mill Road is now permanently closed.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to everyone who has donated, shopped, and volunteered in the shop through the decades of serving the Mill Road community, raising funds for the cats of Cambridge.
The activities of Cambridge Cats Protection remain unchanged, please view the other pages on our web site for more information.
Our charity shop raises vital funds for Romsey Mill. It is located at 176 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3LP and thrives with the help of committed and friendly volunteers.
As well as supporting Romsey Mill, the shop provides low cost clothing, toys, books and lots of other household items.
The shop is currently open Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm.
We welcome donations, but currently can only accept them on certain days. Please ring first (07768 307674) or email Liz Diamond, especially if your donation is large as we have limited storage.
We have vacancies for more volunteers to join our team, if you are interested in meeting new people, gaining retail experience and supporting Romsey Mill, please get in touch with the Shop Manager on 07768 307674. Or pop in to the shop and pick up a volunteer application.
Please shop with us and raise funds to help local animals. Our target is to achieve a monthly profit of £1,000 at each of our shops, which will safeguard the future of the services which we provide in the Cambridge area.
We have an enormous stock of quality fiction and non-fiction: novels, poetry, literature, crime, sci-fi, plays, art, audio-books, aviation, natural history, DIY, biography, business, children’s, curio and collectable, economics, esoteric, history, sport, new-age, health and fitness, humour, languages, linguistics, film and theatre, music, self-help, theology, psychology, computing, textbooks, craft, cookery, science, current affairs, philosophy, politics, sociology, topography, travel… New items go out daily, so keep coming in.
We also stock secondhand music records, CDs, DVDs and videos.
The Arthur Rank Hospice charity shops play a vital role in raising funds and awareness of the Charity. Our Mill Road Cambridge shop is ready to deliver to you a bargain or two!
Nestled in Mill Road Shops our charity shop is filled to the brim with good quality clothing, books, toys and bric-a-brac, as well as our very own Arthur Rank Hospice Charity merchandise.
Love shopping whilst helping us raise the vital funds necessary to continue our excellent standard of end of life care and support in Cambridgeshire.
Monday: 10:00am – 4:00pm Shopping and donation drop-off Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00am – 4:00pm Shopping only, no donation drop-off Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm*Shopping only, no donation drop-off Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm Shopping and donation drop-off Sunday: 11:00am – 4:00pm Shopping and donation drop-off
* Notes: The A-board outside reads “Friday Closed” but a representative of Arthur Rank Hospice, informed us of the arrangements, shown above, on Saturday 8th August. The shop may be closed for a short lunch-break, dependent upon staffing.
The Edge Café, in common with a number of other cafés and restaurants, offered half-price meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August, through the government Eat Out to Help Out scheme. But they’re brilliant value at full price, too!
Some of Mill Road’s restaurateurs, publicans and café proprietors are planning their own continuing discounts and offers through September – now HM Govt’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme has ended. We’ve emailed as many as we can, and we’re updating the list with details as soon as we hear from them.
Inputting the nearest postcode to Mill Road bridge – CB1 2BQ – on the Gov.UK website, we were able to generate Registered restaurants within 5 miles of CB1 2BQ, with participating establishments listed by proximity to the bridge, from which we’ve pulled out the 30 participating restaurants, pubs and cafés along Mill Road and side streets.
Below is a list – in order of proximity to the bridge – of eateries which participated in HM Govt’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme throughout August.
Where we’ve been informed of (or otherwise reliably learned of) any offers of their own, these are highlighted in red.
Scott’s All Day 0.04 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 111-113 Mill Road, Cambridge CB1 2AZ Scotts are continuing Eat Out to Help Out on Wednesdays throughout September. …
The Devonshire Arms 0.04 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 1 Devonshire Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BH 0.04 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 106 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD …
Prana Indian Restaurant 0.09 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 97 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AW …
Hot Numbers Coffee – Gwydir Street 0.10 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield Unit 5, Dales Brewery, Gwydir Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LJ …
Kingston Arms Freehouse 0.11 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 33 Kingston Street, Cambridge, CB1 2NU …
Cambridge Gourmet Grill 0.13 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 102 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD …
Bedouin Cambridge Ltd 0.11 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 98-100 , Mill Road, Cambridgeshire, CB1 2BD …
Little Petra Ltd 0.14 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 94 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2BD …
Black Cat Café 0.16 miles from the bridge, in Romsey 2 The Broadway, Cambridge, CB1 3AH …
Samaan Restaurant limited 0.18 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 74 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Salisbury Arms 0.18 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield The Salisbury Arms, Tenison Road, Cambridge, CB1 2DW TheSalisbury Arms will be running a Half The Price, Twice as Nice offer, on food items (not on soft drinks) to follow the Eat Out to Help Out scheme on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout September. …
The Sea Tree 0.18 miles from the bridge, in Romsey 13-14, The Broadway, Cambridge, CB1 3AH …
Carlos BBQ 0.19 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 70 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Tradizioni Restaurant 0.19 miles from the bridge, in Romsey 18 The Broadway, Cambridge, CB1 3AH Tradizioni will be following the Eat Out to Help Out scheme with a 30% discount on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout September. …
The Petersfield 0.20 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 2 Sturton St, Cambridge, CB1 2QA …
196 0.20 miles from the bridge, in Romsey 196 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3NF …
Spring 0.20 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 66 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Al Casbah 0.21 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 62 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Bibimbap House 0.21 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 60 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Modigliani 0.22 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 54a, Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Mr Ho’s 0.23 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 54 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Rotana Café 0.23 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 50 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS …
Maurizio Dining & Co 0.25 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 44 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AS
Maurizio Dining & Co are running their own 50%-off on eat-in food (max £10/person) on Tues/Weds throughout September!
…
The Cambridge Blue 0.25 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 85-87 Gwydir Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LG …
Relevant Record Café 0.26 miles from the bridge, in Romsey 260 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3NF …
Noodles Plus 0.30 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 24a, Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AD …
The Empress 0.32 miles from the bridge, in Romsey 72 Thoday Street, Cambridge, CB1 3AX …
Tu Casa Restaurant 0.33 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 8 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 2AD …
The Alexandra Arms 0.35 miles from the bridge, in Petersfield 22-24, Gwydir Street, Cambridge, CB1 2LL The Alexwill be following the Eat Out to Help Out scheme with a buy one burger get another for just £1 every Tuesday to Saturday 12-2pm …
Tzatziki @ The Royal Standard 0.44 miles from the bridge, in Romsey Royal Standard Pub, 292 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3NL …
The Edge Café 0.61 miles from the bridge, in Romsey Brookfields Hospital Site, 351 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB1 3DF …
The Brook Pub 0.68 miles from the bridge, in Romsey 25 Brookfields, Cambridge, CB1 3NW …
Note: the links in the above list are to (in order of preference, according to what we could find) the establishment’s website, their Facebook page or Trip Adviser. We have no responsibility for any information on these links.
There has been significant opposition to the restrictions on Mill Road Bridge posted on various social media sites.
This protest has been spotted on Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor, a localised social media site.
This poster has been appearing in the windows of some Mill Road traders
The publication of this post by Mill Road Bridges should not be considered an endorsement of this protest or of the objections to the Mill Road traffic-reduction measures and associated restrictions on the railway bridge. Neither should this statement be read as one of opposition to this protest and its aims.
It is unclear quite who the ‘ad hoc committee of Romsey and Petersfield residents’ are, but Pamela Wesson of Fantasia, 64 Mill Road, Cambridge, CB12AS purveyor of “unusual and unnecessary items” has been most active on Nextdoor, Facebook and Twitter.
Pamela has published, on Nextdoor, some of the responses to the poster. These are reproduced below.
To whom it may concern,
I am writing today to voice my support for the Mill Rd Bridge Closure. I live on Cavendish Road. I think the closure is working very well and makes Mill Rd much more pleasant to use as a cyclist and pedestrian. I do not understand the protests against the bridge closure. It seems unlikely to me that a large number of people drive to Mill Rd to shop given the limited parking, or that they are going to be significantly discouraged by having to park on one side of the bridge and walk to the other.
If anything, now that more of the road can be used by pedestrians, I would like to see provisions for more outdoor seating so that businesses suck as coffeeshops can serve more patrons.
I do not agree with the Mill Road Traders Association or the Ad Hoc Committee of Romsey and Petersfield Residents Against Obstructions and Bridge Closure on Mill Road that the bridge should be reopened.
Kind Regards,
K[…] N[…]
I have just got a flier through my door which does not specify any reasons for objecting the road closure but is planning a demonstration! Mill road is used by through traffic all the time. These people do not stop and visit shops or facilities on mill road, they cause noise, pollution and danger to our children.
I have not been able to cycleover mill road bridge with my children and as a result do not use shops on the town side of mill road. The one time i took my daughter over the bridge she fell off into the road! Wiith the bridge shut i’ll be hanging out and spending money on mill road more.
Shutting the bridge to commuters who have no interest in our community is a good thing.
I do not understand how it has a negative impact on anyone. Cycle or walk and if you must drive, just drive around!
I too now have to go the long way round in my car and i’m more than happy to do so in order to benefit my community.
I really do not understand objections to this scheme. Please can you explain?
L[…] (Thoday Street)
Asked, by another commenter on Nextdoor, “why are you posting copies of other people’s opinions etc?” Pamela responded, “Not fussed by showing other opinions. Often just showing them reveals why I personally oppose them.”
Interestingly, in addition to a leaflet from the ‘ad hoc committee of Romsey and Petersfield residents’ (see poster above) a leaflet expressing opposing views from Cambridge Cycling Campaign (CamCycle) based on this post – Camcycle repeats call to county to fast-track improvements on Mill Road – on their website appeared on our web-editor’s doormat on Friday 31st July.
Cambridge Council took the decision to widen the pavements over Mill Road Bridge, without consultation and only 2 days warning. Their reasoning was to encourage people to social distance.
This will allow access for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport & emergency vehicles. This work is permanent, not temporary.
However, no access for Blue Badge holders, taxi drivers or private vehicles. I believe the Council has said it will review access for Blue Badge holders in 6 months.
Discriminating against the disabled is disgusting – and contravenes the Equalities Act 2020.
Work will also be done to widen some of the pavements both sides of the bridge – at the moment they are just screened off. We were not informed of this.
Not every resident on Mill Road is able to ride a bike or walk very far. Taking a taxi will cost more because of the circuitous route that the driver will have to take – and the disabled and elderly are not all made of money! And yes, I am walking disabled, not allowed to drive and cannot walk far without pain.
Please sign up to this petition, and compel the Council to re-think before it is too late.
Here’s a tongue in cheek, somewhat poetic-licensed view of our current situation and what it may be like when we emerge from it at the ‘other end’.
ELJ
We can have ‘Corona’ today, The ‘Corona Man’ is on his way. Lime’s my fave, but Raspberry’s ok, And ‘Cream Soda’ though extra to pay!
Now ‘Corona’ when it’s heard Has become a feared word! Deadly, spreading across the World, Millions to die! But surely absurd?
Stocks and shares to collapse, ‘Advanced Capitalism’ too, perhaps! Community then will mean a lot, Bartering to live, using one’s stock.
Whoever survives will be immune, A New World System can emerge. People will matter, everyone the same, No elitism, no meritocracy, certainly no fame!
The old and young will have died, Middle-aged will try to stem the tide They’ll strive to procreate once more, To help overcome whatever’s in store!
No need then for a warning, Climate’ll be no longer warming. No more temperatures extreme, Earth green, deserts further between.
Man’s ingenuity will win through However much there’ll need to do, Yes, we’ll be here for eons to come, Until Earth’s gobbled up by the Sun!
The Laws of Physics and the Universe, Outside of our immediate world, Will determine when mankind’s gone, It’ll be when time and times are done!
E.L.JENKINS 4th March 2020
VIRUS-SEQUEL
(3rd May 2020)
We are hopefully going to have an opportunity to contemplate what kind of future we’d like when this pandemic is eventually overcome. A number of possibilities may occur and indeed from news editorial and newsletters, together with discussions on tv and radio, it appears that more people are beginning to realise and contemplate our (and the World’s) future, in ways that would have seemed bizarre speculation only a short time ago.
Some, of course, are contemplating a swift return to a similar economic situation to that prevailing before the virus took hold!
Thinking this and possible outcomes, I felt it worthwhile to write a follow-up poem to ‘VIRUS’ – ‘VIRUS-SEQUEL’. The content is intended to be both controversial and contentious (somewhat ‘Brave New World’), but nevertheless thought-provoking! I truly believe poetry can be a fine medium for this approach.
Again it’s a ‘tongue in cheek’, somewhat poetic-licensed view of our current situation and what it may be like when we emerge from it at the ‘other end’ (present/future). I hope you like it.
ELJ
When a vaccine’s been manufactured All will flock to its Standard, Virulence will have been quashed, The Corona Virus’ll be squashed!
There will be some silver lining spun With battle won, Man will Soldier on. Many of the old will have gone Our Health Service could be second to none!
And Youth will need to play it’s part, To treat life more seriously, Over indulgence a thing of the past, Weekend revelling, much more modestly!
A&E will then easily cope, Hospitals tranquil and calm no doubt, Fewer ‘Oldies’ to block their beds, Hopefully less disease to spread.
Costs of course will be much less, Fewer hierarchical ladders perhaps to climb? More altruism, more sublime.
Would people be ready to go at a certain age?! Or ‘Coldly Preserved’ for eternity! Wisdom archived by electronics, No one ever old enough to be a sage.
Teaching performed through holograms, Research advanced by linked-in Apps, Robotic technicians, always agreeable, Equipment everlasting but biodegradable.
As the Young will still be here Man’s future could be more clear, Time to consider how to progress To try to prevent another mess!
Permanent synthetic production halted, Only degradable plastics moulded, Doors and sills made from Nature’s Bounty, No bursting landfills spoiling country.
Science and Art to be paramount, No ‘tribal’ politics in between, Bureaucracy to be minor And very rarely seen.
Then with less people, maybe, We can give the Earth a chance. To let Nature mend itself, And finally restore the balance.
The Planet and Mankind in accord Each benefiting from the other, Symbiosis on a Worldwide Front, Abundance for all; we can afford!
There could be a turn away From Global based economies, Back to Countries on their own, Running their markets alone.
Enjoying cultures unique Eating and living differently, Respecting everyone’s ways, Without any uniformity.
For a long time to come This thought should prevail, Less travel for pleasure, And mainly by rail!
As has been said before, We’ll be here for evermore. Eternal hope resides, at least Until a greater force decides!
