‘Ideas come and go.
From time to time, we dream and wonder about the capabilities of our imaginations, and the capacities of our creative minds. We are constantly thinking, and it is near impossible to stop a consistent flow of thoughts from entering our heads, especially during this world crisis.
COVID-19 has had an effect on every human being on this planet, whether that be through illness, mental upset, or sudden restrictive change. In order to overcome this period of anxiety, and fear of the future, we must come to terms with what is happening around us.
While many people are contracting this new disease, we can be rest assured that day and night, people are working to not only prevent the spread of Coronavirus, but hopefully reduce it to it’s inexistence in the future. We can do our part by respecting social distancing rules, staying home where possible, and safely helping others in need.
Monday, March 23rd was an incredibly difficult day for all of the British Population, as our PM, Boris Johnson, announced a total UK Lockdown. Over the past few months, the true British spirit has shone through after days shrouded in dark, stormy clouds. We are beating COVID-19, statistically, mentally, and physically. We must therefore continue to uphold this national effort, without acting rashly or suddenly, despite the recent easing of restrictions. Losing all that we have worked so hard for would be a slap in the face to our country.
In one household in the UK, more so, my house, I was thinking about my relatives in St Monans, and how I miss visiting them. The village has a sense of community that cannot be compared to other villages. It is special, and to lose that so suddenly has upset the local train of events for the entire year. Despite this, St Monans is Still Beautiful. This got me thinking, ‘How can a sense of community, and a visit to the village be simulated without human contact?’
After a great deal of consideration, the idea for the new ‘St Monans is Still Beautiful Magazine’ was born.
Planning, editing and careful thinking were just some of the things put towards the effort of creating issue one, which was published on May 4th. At the time of writing, five issues have now been published, with the sixth in the works. The overwhelming level of support, and kind regards for what started as such a small idea really has shown the goodness within the village. There are not enough ‘thank-yous’ in the world to express how I feel as editor, to see the magazine go down well with the public.
As well as recieving positive feedback from the general public, the magazine has also seen features on St Monans’ page, the East Neuk Salt Company, Fife Reporter, the local newsletter; Abercrombie and St Monans Tidings, and various other local businesses. I genuinely cannot thank these groups enough for showing an interest in my creation, and my hope is that people can enjoy the village from a safe distance, without the worry of contracting or spreading COVID-19.
Of course, as restrictions are gradually lifted, more people may consider coming to the village, but please, it is urged that non-essential visits are made as little as possible, with the interests of keeping all parties involved safe. With regards to those in shielding, better times will come, as a downwards trend in cases and fatalities continues to occur.
Soon, we will reunite, but for now, we must be patient, for St Monans will remain the same, whether it is 2020, or 2022! To quote the famous, ‘We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.’
Times are hard, but we have seen the hardest part of this crisis. It is up to us to bring this pandemic to a close, so please, let’s just hold on for a little bit longer, things are improving.
Here’s to more articles of St Monans is Still Beautiful. Stay safe.’
STICK WITH IT, ST MONANS:
‘What a year it has been, and what a year it will continue to be.
It’s very difficult at this tedious point in the pandemic’s second wave not to lose sight of what we’ve all been striving for over these past months, and I am in total agreement. The human race, we’ve seen it all - thick and thin, sunshine and rain, summer, now winter. Days often feel monotonous, like a droning routine that just keeps on going.
However, the tunnel’s end is still within reach - we must do more, as complacency is a killer. We are obliged to ‘stick with it’, keeping up our hygiene routines, keeping our safe distances from one another, and protecting not only the people we love and care about, but also our NHS; our NHS that has worked so incredibly hard over this year to save as many people as they could from succumbing to COVID-19, our NHS that we so proudly clapped for on Thursday evenings, and our NHS that will soon become overwhelmed if we continue to act irrationally. We all depend on the careful nature of our neighbours, acquaintances and family!
So I ask you, why throw away all that we have stayed at home for, that we have shed so many hours of our lives for? If we listen to our new restrictions now, and blow one last puff of air at the rekindling embers of this fire, we might just have a Christmas with levels of prevalence lower than in Summer. Now, if that is something not to strive for this winter, I do not know what is.
After finishing my tenth and final issue of St Monans is Still Beautiful in July, I felt happy. I felt a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment that confirmed to me we had done all we could to suppress the virus. Unfortunately, too many people let down their guards, and we are now dealing with a second wave, but, we don’t need to let this new wave of infections bring us down. We have each other, and we are still connected, through new means.
We have to remember, also, that our sense of togetherness from Spring can still be replicated this time! Opening our minds and hearts to the point where we change our perspective will make a world’s difference in the way that we respond to the events of this coming winter.
I realised, after seeing the resurgence unfolding over August, that I could do more to help the community through this winter. When I thought back to the early days of St Monans is Still Beautiful, my mindset was much the same - I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how. So, I doodled, and I planned, and I threw a multitude of scrunched paper balls in the bin, but I still reached my final conclusion, and that conclusion was that I must use my keen attitude, my willingness to strive for what I believe in, and my motivation to my advantage.
Having the idea of the magazine re-entering the community again after a few months didn’t actually dawn on me until late September, and when it did, I was glad. Not only is the magazine a way of providing for others, it is also a hobby that I enjoy every minute of. Going back to the drawing board, I knew St Monans is Still Beautiful needed a few touch-ups to be more suitable for this coming winter. Going under the original project name ‘St Monans is Still Beautiful’s Weekly Warmth’, I immediately had a flow of ideas again. Writing the magazine once again felt wonderful, and oddly familiar. After listening to a clip from one of the First Minister’s briefings, I realised that I liked the connotations of the saying ‘stick with it’, and so, Stick with it, St Monans was born.
Having only published one issue at this point, I have no idea which direction I will take with these publications, but I do know that I will enjoy it, every step of the way.’
