CELEBRATING TWO FLEETWOOD COMMUNITIES
Healthier Fleetwood is delighted to be one of the partner organisations involved in Celebrate Fleetwood Day.
Originally a full-day event was going to take place on Euston Gardens on Bank Holiday 8th May, which also marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Those plans have sadly been cancelled for obvious reasons and instead the event committee is encouraging residents to enjoy the day with 'stay at home parties' and at 3pm go to their doorsteps and gardens to make some noise for Fleetwood, showing its strength as a community.
> Find out more about Celebrate Fleetwood Day on Facebook
Residents are also starting to decorate their houses in red, white and blue and come up with other ideas which is fantastic. A young resident named Dexter Diver posted a picture of himself on his daily exercise, proudly stood next to the 'Welcome to Fleetwood' sign at Rossall. This inspired us to make contact with Fleetwood Pennsylvania and in an exchange of emails with the Town's Mayor, it turns out they are also holding celebration days. Here's more of what she's told us ...
"Our portion of the country and state have been hit hard with the Coronavirus--we are 2 hours from New York City and 1 1/4 hours from Philadelphia, although we are very much in the country among the Amish. We have been in quarantine for the past 7-weeks. People have created chalk art on their sidewalks and driveways. We then encourage people to take walks at physically acceptable distances to appreciate the colourful, encouraging, and fun artwork. We shared in a Toast to the Town. On Weds., April 15, 7:00 pm (our tax day), we went in front of our houses or on our porches and toasted our neighbours to show our support for the efforts of all. We then challenged another municipality to do it next. This may not have been good for physical health, but was certainly advantageous to our mental health. Neighbours stayed outside and talked for long after the toast (keeping our social distance). This Friday, May 1st, 7:00pm, we are ringing bells, banging pots and pans, blowing horns, clapping for unity, support, and hope. Our goal is to show unity in the fact that we must ALL do our part, even if that means staying home and staying healthy. We are offering support for our first responders, healthcare workers, and essential workers whom we have incredible respect for their important work. We are ending on a note of hope as May begins and the warmer weather to follow. Our police and fire companies are going to go around town sounding the sirens as well. We also asked residents to display white lights on their porch or light poles to support each other and our first responders, healthcare workers, and essential workers. It is this community spirit that allows us to come together at a physically acceptable distance and realize that we are in this together, and none of us are truly alone. Healthier Fleetwood and Celebrate Fleetwood are going to keep in touch with our friends in America and hope to build up relationships that will last into the future.