Lockdown 2.0 Diaries: BS2 – St Paul’s, St Werburgh’s and Avonmeads

At lunchtime on Friday, a few dozen bales of hay were being delivered to St Werburgh’s City Farm. The farm may not be able to welcome any human guests right now, but their resident animals still need to eat.

A few two-legged visitors still got as close as they can to our four-legged friends though, watching the goats from the Watercress Road pavement.

“We don’t ever go into the farm when it’s closed, mama,” one young girl patiently explained to her mum as she walked by in her panda backpack.

Through the other side of tunnel – the smell of fresh paint still hanging in their air – there was much more than just hay on the lunch menu.

A woman peered through the window of Napolita. That was closed for now so she went over the road to Popti & Beast, joining a small queue that today worked its way by a fishmonger who sets up in front of the popular butcher and bakers every Friday and Saturday.

The Cauldron is now selling mulled apple juice, with owner Henry Eldon explaining to one customer buying a quiche that mulled cider will soon be on the menu when the thermometer drops a few more degrees.

In front of the basketball hoop in Mina Road Park, two friends made the most of the current Covid regulations for meeting outside by practising caipora together.

Bales of hay are delivered to St Werburgh’s City Farm – photo: Martin Booth

Pots and pans clattered inside St Paul’s Community Cafe soon before midday. The lights were off at St Paul’s Learning Centre next door but food and drink was still being served here through the window; although it was not clear whether customers would be able to sit on the yellow, green and red picnic tables outside.

Everyone is welcome here, apart from one particular person. A sign in the window read: ‘We are aware that one of our customers is regularly using cloned and stolen cards’

Walking in circles around the paths outside like a caged polar bear, a 20-something man with hair bursting out of his baseball cap was on the phone. “Yeah, they’ve put me back on furlough. Not sure how long for.”

An elder in a knitted red bobble hat walked slowly by with the help of a stick. “Good morning,” she said politely as she ambled towards Ludlow Close.

Autumn leaves fall around St Paul’s Community Cafe – photo: Martin Booth

For shoppers at Avonmeads Retail Park following the US election unfolding, a red tent in the car park was selling New York hot dogs for £5 or Philly cheesesteaks for £7.

The majority of shops remain open. Only Outfit, JD Sports and Carphone Warehouse don’t fall into the definition of essential.

And of course, the Showcase cinema and bowling alley have had to temporarily close. Above the cinema, staff have spelled out ‘Currently on intermission’ in giant letters.

The SpongeBob Movie and Peter Rabbit 2 are among the posters still on display around the building for films coming soon, whenever that may be.

Showcase Avonmeads may be closed but it spells out a message of positivity – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo by Martin Booth

Read more: Lockdown 2.0 Diaries: BS1 – Harbourside, Old City and Wapping Wharf