2020 has been a very strange year but, despite pandemic and lockdown and all the changes in rules and regulations, it has been good to see everybody working together to serve the community.

We would like to thank Andrea Hartshorne who is standing down from the CC for all of her work whilst a trustee.

For the first time that I know of the CC, along with various helpers, erected a Christmas Tree by the pavilion on Great Green, a Nordmann Fir, 18 feet of Christmas cheer with twinkling lights! Let’s do the same again this year as I think we may all be in need of some cheer.

This tree was supposed to be a fitting backdrop to Carols on The Green but the weather was so filthy that the event was held in the church, a very pleasant, informal service with around 35 people present and refreshments afterwards.

January started with the Hangover Hike, muddy and a little shorter than usual but a great way for participants and various dogs to blow away the cobwebs and greet the new year.

In February we held a quiz night wish a fish and chip supper, a splendid evening, very well supported and a great credit to Neil Ashton and his team and the catering organisers.

After a very successful end to 2019 and start to 2020 there was much planned for the Spring but then the hammer fell, the nation shut down and, for 6 months, no events were possible or permissible. Here I must pay tribute to the CC for as soon as there was a glimmer of light, a sign that restrictions would begin to relax then things started to happen again.

In September Janne very cleverly set up an online version of the Cockfield Show which was very well supported. This meant a lot of hard work but was a good start to getting the community involved again.

Team work between the Village Hall and Cinema groups saw the popular cinema nights start again in September and much work was done behind the scenes to comply with government guidance and to ensure everyone’s safety and it’s good to note that the film screenings have been supported to the maximum capacity allowed. Well done to all.

Neil Ashton hit on a great idea with a virtual quiz last weekend, I was unable to attend but am told that it was well organised, well supported and most enjoyable. I believe that another is being set up for just before Christmas. Goof show!

Through these difficult times it has been good to see Bruff’s Line and Earl’s Meadow come into their own, providing a beautiful green space where people could wander freely, a tranquil and much need boost to physical and mental well-being. A big Thank You to the team who put so much hard work into creating and maintaining these precious places.

During these unprecedented months the CC may have been stilled but the community wasn’t, it was as active and vibrant as ever, looking out for those who needed help with shopping, medical matters or simply some socially distanced social contact and the knowledge that we may have been in lockdown but were connected as members of the community. In so many ways the pandemic brought the community close together and we should be proud to be a part of it.

Thanks to everybody in this village and I wish all a happy Christmas and a hopeful new year

R Williams
Chairman, Cockfield Community Council