Day of reflection in Skegness a year after UK's first Covid lockdown

An emotional funeral procession begins for Jeannette Field, watched by neighbours in Skegness.

Early in March 2020 the biggest headlines were around Brexit and, in Skegness, the new state-of-the-art street lighting in Tower Esplanade.

No-one could have been prepared for how an unknown virus could change everyone's lives.

To mark the anniversary on Tuesday, March 23, Frank Wood Funeralcare is inviting those who have lost a loved one to or pay tribute to a key worker to tie a yellow ribbon on a memorial tree at their premises in Prince George Street, as part of the Marie Curie National Day of Reflection.

The funeral of retired nurse Jeannette Field was the first held in lockdown for a Covid-19 victim.

The Church of England nationally is also supporting this day, and a number of events are being held In the Skegness area.

The Rev Richard Holden told the Standard a half-hour service from St Matthew's Church would be live-streamed at 11.30am on their Facebook page, Skegness Group of Churches, which would conclude with the minutes silence at noon, followed by the tolling of one of the church bells.

The Union Flag will also be flown outside St Matthew's at half mast.

Bells were also being rung at Addlethorpe (St. Nicholas) and Ingoldmells ( St. Peter and St. Paul) at one minute past noon.

Children in Skegness painted rainbows to spread a message of hope. Here is Erin Sherwood with her picture.

To mark the one-year anniversary, the Standard took a look at the events that followed that fateful day on March 6, 2021, when the Government confirmed the pandemic had arrived in the UK after four people were tested positive for Covid-19.

Sadly, in the months up to March 8, 2021, there were 381 confirmed deaths...

MARCH 2020

It was believed that the first confirmed case in the county was “a resident of Lincolnshire recently returned from Italy,” who it was feared may have infected others.

Staff at the Old Hall nursing home at Halton Holegate moved into a caravan on site to protect residents.

Across the UK, of 20,338 people who had been tested, 20,175 were confirmed negative and 163 were confirmed as positive.

***

As the country was plunged into lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, inspirational ways to lift spirits came from the youngest members of the community.

The rainbows started springing up in windows across the area after schools closed in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Janet Simpson was offered the Village Church Farm Museum in Skegness as a base to cut out the fabric for volunteers busy sewing scrubs in their homes.

Schools encouraged pupils to put up paintings to "spread hope" after a trend started online.

***

Blazing sunshine towards the end of March brought the crowds to the coast in spite of calls for people stay hope - prompting angry words from some members of the public and the East Lindsey council leader.

Coun Craig Leyland described the actions of businesses which opened along the coast as 'totally irresponsible'.

In a statement, he said: "I ask, for the health of our residents, that ALL businesses that fall into these categories follow the Government instruction.

"I am also asking visitors to please heed the Government advice regarding unnecessary journeys. Please postpone your visit to East Lindsey. We will welcome you with open arms once this pandemic is over."

Nurses with some of the scrubs bags made by Skegness sewers.

APRIL

No-one could have prepared for the harrowing scenes from the first funeral of a Covid-19 victim in Skegness.

Neighbours, friends and family lined a Skegness street to say their goodbyes to a retired NHS hero, who died at her home of Covid-19, promising that her legacy will live on.

Jeannette Field lost her battle after becoming sick a week after her husband, Robert, had been admitted into Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, where for many years she had worked as a secretary to heart specialist Dr Cyril Nyman. She was 71 years old.

Her husband was in a coma when she passed away on Saturday, April 4. He was recovering in hospital and unable to attend the funeral.

It was Frank Wood Funeralcare's first funeral in lockdown of a Covid-19 victim and worked with family and friendsso that neighbours in Seacroft Drive, who were not able to attend the funeral at Alford Crematorium due to government guidance, could say their farewells.

A lone trumpet piece entitled ‘a Silencio’ was played by Stephen Walker. As the procession passed by, neighbours clapped in Jeannette’s honour.

***

Easter started quietly in Skegness as pleas to 'stay away' continued.

But it was heartbreaking for local businesses. Just a year earlier, the coast was enjoying record temperatures, with thousands of visitors giving businesses an early season boost.

Now, the scene was completely different - with shops, arcades, kiosks and caravan parks closed as part of the government lockdown to ease the burden on the NHS during the coronavirus crisis.

There were, however, some reports of people ignoring the pleas, including police turning a family of five breaking the lockdown rules being away at the railway station and the British Transport Police have been brought in to support local officers - just in case.

Later in April, ELDC confirmed a shop in Drummond Road had been fined for staying open.

***

Appreciation of the work by the NHS and frontline workers during the pandemic was in full swing by April.

Carers at a home for the elderly near Spilsby have said 'thank you' after the second Clap for Carers saw the country salute NHS staff and other key workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of staff had moved into the Old Hall at Halton Holegate to protect the residents there.

One of the carers now camping in a caravan donated to the hall, Hazel Webster, explained: "Our residents are so special to us we decided this was the only way we could protect them."

Hazel moved to the home with her two therapy dogs, Pip and Gypsy, but had to leave her husband behind.

***

As the pandemic continued, community spirit grew.

A Skegness fish and chip shop re-opened to deliver free food for NHS heroes andfrontline workers

Fish and chips were delivered to NHS workers at Skegness Hospital by Victor Fox of Harry Ramsbottoms.

Staff at Skegness Hospital received their Good Friday delivery of fish and chips - and more free food including sausages, burgers and fishcakes was prepared for the homeless.

Victor Fox, who owns the restaurant near the Clock Tower in Lumley Road, said he would be opening for five hours every Friday for NHS workers and the homeless, who could acquire vouchers from food banks in Skegness and Ingoldmells or the Salvation Army.

"Over the years I have made a lot of money in Skegness and this is a way of giving something back," said Mr Fox.

***

As a shortage of PPE for carers and medical staff hit national headlines, an army of volunteers were joining forces locally to sew scrubs for NHS heroes

Janet Simpson was offered the Village Church Farm Museum in Skegness as a base to cut out the fabric for volunteers busy sewing in their homes..

For the Love of Scrubs - Our NHS Needs You was launched by Ashleigh Linsdell, an A&E nurse at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, and had more than 42,347 members nationwide.

The Skegness group later moved to a new location at the Cricket Club, making scrubs and wash bags for NHS workers in the local hospitals.

***

It was all looking good for the start of the season when the Government confirmed the global coronavirus pandemic had arrived in Lincolnshire.

The Department of Health said on the afternoon of March 6 that up to four people from the county had tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

It was believed that the first confirmed case in the county was “a resident of Lincolnshire recently returned from Italy,” who may have have infected others.

Across the UK of 20,338 people who have been tested, 20,175 were confirmed negative and 163 were confirmed as positive.

***

-As the country was plunged into lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, inspirational ways to lift spirits came from the youngest members of the community.

Children in Skegness painted rainbows for windows to make the world a little brighter.

The rainbows started springing up in windows across the area after schools closed in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Schools encouraged pupils to put up paintings to "spread hope" after a trend started online.

***

Coun Craig Leyland described the actions of businesses which opened along the coast as 'totally irresponsible'.

In a statement he said: ""On Friday evening the Prime Minster made a very clear statement that the following businesses must close to prevent the spread of Coronavirus:

"Over the weekend I’ve seen reports of businesses in the district remaining open and trading as normal that fall into some of these categories. This is completely irresponsible.

"I have always championed the need for our businesses to thrive and passionately promoted East Lindsey as a place to visit. However, I ask, for the health of our residents, that ALL businesses that fall into these categories follow the Government instruction.

APRIL

Easter started quietly in Skegness as pleas to 'stay away' continued.

But it was heartbraking for local businesses. Just a year ago, the coast was enjoying record temperatures, with thousands of visitors giving businesses an early season boost.

This Easter, the scene was completely different - with shops, arcades, kiosks and caravan parks closed as part of the government lockdown to ease the burden on the NHS during the coronavirus crisis.

Later in April, ELDC confirmed a shop in Drummond Road had been fined for staying open.

***

Appreciation of the work by the NHS and frontline workers during the pandemic was in fill swing by April.

Carers at a home for the elderly near Spilsby have said 'thank you' after the second Clap for Carers saw the country salute NHS staff and other key workers dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

Members of staff had moved into the Old Hall at Halton Holegate to protect the residents there.

One of the carers now camping in a caravan donated to the hall, Hazel Webster, explained: "Our residents are so special to us we decided this was the only way we could protect them."

Hazel moved to the home with her two therapy dogs, Pip and Gypsy, but had to leave her husband behind.

***

As the pandemic continued, community spirit grew.

A Skegness fish and chip shop re-opened to deliver free food for NHS heroes andfrontline workers

Fish and chips were delivered to NHS workers at Skegness Hospital by Victor Fox of Harry Ramsbottoms.

Staff at Skegness Hospital received their Good Friday delivery of fish and chips - and more free food including sausages, burgers and fishcakes was prepared for the homeless.

"Over the years I have made a lot of money in Skegness and this is a way of giving something back," said Mr Fox.

***

As a shortage of PPE for carers and medical staff hit national headlines, an army of volunteers were joining forces locally to sew scrubs for NHS heroes

Janet Simpson was offered the Village Church Farm Museum in Skegness as a base to cut out the fabric for volunteers busy sewing in their homes..

For the Love of Scrubs - Our NHS Needs You was launched by Ashleigh Linsdell, an A&E nurse at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, and had more than 42,347 members nationwide.

The Skegness group later moved to a new location at the Cricket Club, making scrubs and wash bags for NHS workers in the local hospitals.

JULY

The second half of 2020 saw visitors returning to the coast.

Punters were pleased to see pubs re-open after weeks in lockdown.

Skegness pubs closed early to avoid anti-social behaviour on the first night out for many people in weeks.

A heatwave brought thousands of visitors to the coast in August, blocking roads in Anderby Creek.

However, the rush for a pint saw some unwanted incidents in the town. The Marine in Lumley Road called time around 9.30pm on Saturday night after a fight broke out and a riot van and two ambulances were called to the Suncastle on North Parade.

Other pubs in the town closed to avoid the backlash from customers looking for somewhere else to go.

Lincolnshire Police thanked officers for working over the weekend during what was described as "the latest in a great line of challenges" since lockdown began.

AUGUST

Thousands of trippers headed to the coast for what was said to be the hottest day of the year.

Traffic was seen backing up from the town to Poppy's cafe on the A158 by 10am, as shoppers battled with day trippers to get to the centre.

An accident took place just after noon near the Southview Leisure Park and involved three cars, close to the spot the spot on the A158 where a woman pedestrian in her 20s died the previous month.

There were also been reports of a massive amount of traffic causing problems further up the coast at Anderby Creek.

Cars were parked along the coastal road from Chapel Six Marshes to Sandilands and both sides up to the beach.

"People are parking in the 60mph limit on the road," said parish councillor Graham Fisher. "There is going to be an accident. I've already seen a Mexican stand-off between two cars and neither would budge."

SEPTEMBER:

In a break from Covid-19, the near-30 year restoration of a small diesel locomotive on the Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway was shortlisted for two national awards in the 2021 'Railway Oscars'.

It was the third consecutive year in which the railway in the Skegness Water Leisure Park has been shortlisted by the Heritage Railway Association for an award.

OCTOBER:

After losing so many weeks business due to lockdown, it was announced the holiday season was to be extended to help businesses recover from impact of Covid-19.

East Lindsey District Council’s Executive Board approved a Local Development Order for the East Lindsey coast, which will allow holiday parks and seasonal accommodation to open from March 1 to January 5 for holiday occupancy.

***

Closing down sales began appearing all along the high street in Skegness - but along with the sadness that people were losing their jobs before Christmas comes hope of an new opportunities emerging.

Ponden Home, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks stores,in Lumley Road - all part of national chains owned by billionaire Philip Day - were the latest businesses making tough decisions due to the impact of Covid-19.

This followed the closure of the department store Beales earlier than expected at the start of the Spring lockdown.

Fashion giant M &Co, which went into administration in August, was trading but with a closing down sale.

NOVEMBER:

A spike in Covid-19 cases across East Lindsey saw a u-turn in plans to extend the season and the hopes of caravanners wanting to stay over Christmas and the New Year were dashed.

However, there was better news for residents on one of the parks who pay rates to the authority to stay longer than the normal season which ends in October.

Government guidelines for the second lockdown which started on November 5 stated no-one could stay at a second home or caravan, hotel, or any other accommodation.

Thousands of people were forced to leave East Lindsey's sites and go home - and for many with nowhere to go it was a very worrying time.

Three days of worry were finally ended for the caravanners who said had 'nowhere to go' when they were told they could stay after all.

***

DECEMBER

Shoppers were given a sparkling welcome back to Skegness when the Christmas lights were switched on to coincide with the re-opening of shops after lockdown.

Unlike previous years, when hundreds of families gathered outside the Hildreds Centre for the big countdown, this year it was a 'soft switch-on' to avoid crowds.

The Christmas Market was also cancelled - but that didn't stopped shop owners going all out to make shopping as festive as possible.

Steve Andrews, manager of the Hildreds Centre, said footfall was up by 52% on the previous week.

"Trade has been really buoyant," he said. "We are looking forward to confidence returning to the high street and hope our local customers support us in the lead up to Christmas."

***

JANUARY 2021

Traditional New Year's Eve celebrations were put on hold with just a few revellers ignoring the 'stay at home' plea and turning up at the Clock Tower for midnight.

Police were patrolling the seafront but reported no incidents from the night.

***

Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve joined a national campaign 12 Days Wild over the Christmas and New Year holidays which ended on January 5 - the day the third national lockdown came into force.

People were encouraged to do one wild thing a day, such as recycling the Christmas tree and cards, feeding the birds or something that connected them with nature, such as taking a walk.

***

The first Covid-19 vaccination was delivered to 80-year-old John Sampson, who arrived at the Storehouse for his 9am appointment on Saturday, January 16,- and he said it couldn't have come a day too soon.

"It didn't hurt at all - it was just like a little push on the arm," he said smiling behind his mask.

The previous week, Franklin Hall in Spilsby was also opened as a vaccination centre for residents in the area.

FEBRUARY 2021

As the vaccination rollout got well-underway, hopes of a brighter future emerged.

The Mellors Group, who own Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells, announced they had bought Skegness Pier.

Its sale, for a sum believed to be in the region of £3m, marked a new chapter in the life of one of the UK’s most iconic visitor attractions - with plans to extend it from where it was damaged beyond repair during a storm in 1978.

MARCH 2021

On Monday, March 8, the Standard joined the Richmond School in Skegness for its re-opening - a milestone moment in the pandemic marking the beginning of the roadmap outlining the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions.

During the third lockdown since the pandemic began a year ago, the school remained open for 150 children of key workers but on Monday all 420 pupils were expected to return.

There to welcome children back was a new addition - a six-month-old Cockapoo puppy who was to be the school's therapy dog.

Headteacher Mrs Caroline Wellstead said: "We have learned a lot over the past year - some of the practices we have brought in we will keep doing - but I couldn't have done any of it without the support of my brilliant team."