Castle Street Thursday evening Applause
Following on from a routine, initially adopted in Italy, to applaud their medical services, on Thursday 26 March a UK-wide appeal was launched for households to show their appreciation to the NHS, by going to their front garden, flat balcony or window, at 8p.m. each Thursday to applaud the NHS. Week-by-week the numbers applauding grew, with hand clapping extended to drumming pots and pans, and playing musical instruments, with the appreciation extending not only to the NHS but also to essential workers selflessly continuing to work in roles to the benefit of the community at large.
The image shows residents in Castle Street showing their appreciation.
With the passage of time the initial local community, spontaneous nature of the event was somewhat taken over by a Thursday ‘parade order’ participation. This attracted a particular adverse NHS comment from staff at St Thomas’ Hospital, at the southern end of Westminster Bridge, when they observed a large gathering, along the extent of the bridge, by vehicles and members of Metropolitan Police, including the Commissioner. This gathering, which itself attracted many members of the public, was live televised, highlighting a counterproductive event flaunting the guidance to maintain 2m social distancing. By the end of May there was a general feeling that the weekly Thursday evening applause should come to an end on a high rather than drift to an ungracious end.
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