CORONAVIRUS AND ITS IMPACT ON DARTMOUTH


CORONAVIRUS AND ITS IMPACT ON DARTMOUTH ADAPTING IN LOCKDOWN


During lockdown millions of people across the UK have turned to their computers to chat to grandchildren, hold office meetings and play pub quizzes on their sofa! In Dartmouth and Kingswear it seems people are using video platforms such as Skype and Zoom to get their church sermons and weekly exercise...


F Church matters


or many people Sunday morning means heading to one of the churches around


Dartmouth for their weekly worship. But back in March church leaders were told to close their doors for the first time in about 800 years. Will Hazlewood is the vicar of St Saviours, St Clements and St Petrox: “We think the last time people weren’t allowed to access public weekly services was back in 1230 so this was really quite something.” Will says it had a huge impact on the community and left many without a regular place to meet and chat. So, not long into lockdown he created a pop up church in his own dining room and started Facebook Live services at the normal time of 11am each Sunday streaming to people in Dartmouth and around the world! “It is such a familiar thing for me to do but in such an unfamiliar way. I’m not the most technical of sorts - the first evening prayer I did someone had to text me to tell me I was upside down!” Will says one positive to come


from all this is that people who don’t usually come to church have been tuning into the live services. “Some are frightened of stepping into a church building as they can find it a bit intimidating so for them watching the service online was a perfect way to worship without any pressure or anxiety. They can peer over the virtual fence!” As well as services Will and his team have also done ‘Thought for the Day’ and Bible study groups


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“I’m not the most technical of sorts - the first evening prayer I did someone had to text me to tell me I was upside down!”


on the video programme ‘Zoom’ meaning people can see and chat to each other on screen. Will says the idea was to stay in touch with as many church members as possible and keep faith alive in the town. But not everyone has computers in their home and Will said one of their main priorities was accessing elderly and vulnerable people who may get forgotten. “We joined forces with charities like the Community Chest to help deliver food, general supplies and prescriptions. We also regularly rang members of the church family to keep checking up on them.” The


church hasn’t escaped the financial burden that has affected so many other parts of our society. They say the costs of running these historic buildings have stayed the same but they have not been able to


receive money through the usual donation channels. There was also a lot to do when they did finally open their doors: “Being closed for three months has taken its toll on the buildings which are subject to damp, dust and water ingress. They needed a bit of TLC.” They also had to work out the best way for people to return and worship safely; members of the congregation now have to adhere to social distancing and hygiene regulations, but they are just thrilled to be able to use their ancient buildings for prayer once again. •


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