Over the last handful of weeks, I’ve been attending a coffee meetup in the local Costa coffee shop here in Stony Stratford. 

We usually meet from around 12.30pm onwards for an hour or so. When I say ‘we’ I’m referring to some ladies who I’ve met recently via the Stony Nightingales Women’s Institute. I’ve been aware of this particular WI since 2015, when I attended a couple of times, before returning to the North because my fixed term contract had ended.

When I moved into Stony Stratford in June last year, it was always on my ‘to do’ list to get the membership paid and have some social connection once a month. I got around to it in January 2020, and went to my first meeting the following month. Having been warmly welcomed by some of the ladies, fielding questions relating to specifics such as: Where do I live?, How did I know about the WI?  I was answering with ease, a little anticipation, and noting how I had attended several meetings with my mother (she’s currently the President of Vino & Stitch in Methley, West Yorkshire) back in 2016, while being unemployed. I noted in these conversations during the February meting, that I do not have much of a social circle nor any family because I’m not from around here and thus; I figured joining the WI would be a great way to start improving and widening my social circle.The ladies seemed thrilled, and enthusiastically informed me of a regular coffee meet up every Saturday morning.

Two days later, guess where I headed off to, after doing my Saturday morning ritual of grocery shopping. Now this ritual consists of buying my weekly veg from the guys who travel down from Leicester, then onto the next stall – cheese, which each week, I treat myself to a fine selection of hard, soft and blue – to keep my protein levels up (food allergies). Then I take off back down the high street to the independent bakery – Woodstocks to pick up fresh ciabatta; then I head back home, usually to start unpacking, & commence operation roasted vegetables. 

This particular Saturday was no different, operation vegetables was well and truly underway and as the stroke of 12.30 hit, in the oven they went. I trotted off down the street, now Costa is at the end of the street where I live, and as I waited patiently outside to recognise the ladies, they started to appear, and seemed thrilled that I had decided to accept their offering of coffee. We went inside, and found a spot on some comfy chairs. I joined what seemed to be the never ending queue for something hot and tasteful – a green tea was ordered and I took my position, poised for a catch up with whoever decided to turn up for this Saturday ritual.

As ladies arrived, one by one, taking their coats off, and joining the queue I was fielding questions, while listening tentatively to other discussions. Regardless of age, we had something in common, we were women, some are single, others are not, we’re members of the WI, who enjoy a good natter. 

I have been feeling isolated over the last several months and years living in a place that I holds no historic value to me; and over the last 3-4 weeks, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed a natter, laughter, and all of us sharing information with each other, be-it a small trip to Germany, books that we’re reading or generally learning more about each other. What this Saturday ritual has allowed me to do is reduce my loneliness and isolation, by meeting up with the ladies, once a week.  

Given the directive that has come out and continues to be reinforced about not conducting unnecessary social engagement, and to practice social distancing – when we do need to venture out for essentials, it is highly unlikely that I will be attending the Saturday morning coffee ritual for the foreseeable future. Not only for my own health, but that of others. 

In the lyrics of Vera Lynn who celebrated her 103 birthday yesterday (20th March, 2020):

We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
‘Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won’t be long
They’ll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song

We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day
We’ll meet again
Don’t know where
Don’t know when
But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day

Keep smiling through
Just like you always do
‘Til the blue skies
Drive the dark…