Mayor Linda Bird's Blog - March 2021

As I write this month’s blog, it’s Mothering Sunday and my thoughts go back to one year ago, when we all began our first lockdown experience. We didn’t plan for a year in lockdown. We didn’t plan for the words ‘lockdown’, ‘bubble’ and ‘pandemic’ to become part of our everyday language. I think I am not alone when I thought the restrictions, we began a year ago, would be a very temporary measure.

Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you as residents of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, on following the restrictions and helping to reduce the effects of this threat.

Back to school

We are all pleased and delighted to see more pupils able to attend school. This has not been an easy transition for school teachers, leaders and premises staff. The logistics of maintaining safe education premises for so many young people cannot be underestimated. A huge thank you to all school staff for the extra work needed to implement the safety measures.

The positive impact this will have on our young people is your gift. I consulted two of my grandsons (Finlay and Evan) to find out how the return to primary school was for them:

“It’s quite nice to be back but also it was tiring because of climbing all the stairs. It was also great to see my friends and my teachers.”

“I think it is nice to be back because it’s great to see my friends and learning because it’s fun.”

(Always good to have your input, boys!)

Changes to our behaviour

According to advice, we are able to meet socially with one other person outdoors, outside of our support bubble. Personally, I remain very wary about extending contact with people from outside my support bubble. I can think of nothing worse than having to rewind the activity and find ourselves back in ‘lockdown’. However, I look forward to being able to see my daughter and I hope this helps many of our families and relieves the loneliness.

Care homes

It has been my great privilege to visit 3 of our care homes this month, virtually of course.

We applaud our care workers and managers who have worked tirelessly throughout this year supporting vulnerable people. The positive attitude towards the challenges faced by extra restrictions and isolation makes me feel very humble. Now some relatives will be allowed to visit, and there is great excitement.

Thank you to Annette at Time Court, Tina at Riverlee Care Home and Marion at Westcombe Park Nursing Home, for your time and a chance to chat to staff and residents.

Mayor in the hot seat!

I was really delighted to be invited to meet virtually with St Marys Primary School in Eltham. I prepared my questions for the pupils, carefully. However, I should have known – the children had questions for their Mayor, which kept me busy and on my toes!

A huge thank you to staff and pupils for such an amazing session, and a reminder to me of how well our young people can express their thoughts and opinions. Very articulate and very well thought out. I hope I left a decent impression and look forward to more conversations with our schools.   

Community groups

I have also been privileged to visit some of our community groups this month, including the Caribbean Social Forum where a presentation from our Census Engagement team led by Adam Dale, had been arranged. It was reassuring to see this facility which enabled members of the Forum to ask their questions and express their views and concerns about the Census process.

I would also like to commend Kuldeep Seehra from the Ramgharia Sikh temple. I had a very enjoyable meeting with Kuldeep, during which I learnt just how much support she offers to members of the community.

Similarly, my meeting with Gurmukh Mann and members of the Calderwood Sikh Community, was like a ray of sunshine. The community extends to the USA, and it was amazing to hear how life there during COVID-19 compares with our own. Not much difference it would seem.

Also, we were expected to tell a joke! I once again had to use material supplied by my young grandsons (note to self – brush up on stand up!).

HER Centre – International Women’s Day

Thank you so much to Stacy Smith and her team at the HER centre. I had an excellent time attending this event on the 9 March – entitled ‘The good, the bad and the ugly’. A great title for discussion and presentations concerning communication and issues for women.

I was also delighted to join Stacy for a further meeting where we could discuss the valuable work of the centre in supporting women and girls in their development. Especially guiding women in re-building confidence to help gain employment. Thank you, HER centre.

Our diverse community

It has been my privilege to join Cllr Danny Thorpe in recognising the 62nd anniversary of Tibetan’s National Uprising Day. We were pleased to raise the Tibetan flag outside Woolwich Town Hall and celebrate our Tibetan community.

Also, this month we remember the Ghanaian Independence Day on March 6. We have many Ghanaian residents and recognise these important occasions.

Cllr Linda Bird at the Tibetan flag raising.

Fundraising fun!

Walk, run or cycle 30k in 30 days.

In April, I will be walking or cycling 30k in 30 days. Please help by either sponsoring me, or by taking part yourselves!

Register now and get your fundraising pack

Thank you…

Finally – thank you for taking the time to read my monthly blog. I hope this bridges the gap. I have been restricted for obvious reasons this year in personal visits to groups and individuals. The role of Mayor has changed, and I have been pleased to find as many alternative ways as possible to make contact with residents.

Please contact me at the Mayors office if you would like a virtual meet up.

Please stay safe, take the vaccine and look after each other.

Wash your hands.

Wear a face covering.

Keep a safe space.

Councillor Linda Bird   

Mayor of Royal Greenwich