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Elizabeth Dalziel

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33 images Created 1 Oct 2020

HOW CORONAVIRUS CHANGED MY STREET

I’ve been living on my street for about 10 years, in a little market town outside London called Berkhamsted. In a very English way, I knew almost nothing about my neighbors. Everyone kept to their own business.

My street is 322 meters (352 yards) long and over a century old, with late Victorian brick fronts, all similar in architectural style. But inside each house is a unique story.

As the coronavirus lockdown tightened its grip and residents shut their front doors, a few neighbors created a Whatsapp group for the street. From there on, everything began to change.

People began introducing themselves to one another online, sharing news, asking if anyone needed extra groceries, or offering surplus toys and baked goods. The group grew to 98 members.

Kids who missed out on their birthday parties get a chorus of happy birthday songs up and down the block and balloons hanging from front windows. We’ve raised donations for women facing domestic abuse.It took social distancing to bring us closer.
I’m originally from Mexico, with postings that have taken me from the Middle East to Asia and the Americas. When I arrived in Britain, I found myself in a little patch of England with its ancient buildings and Harry Potter woods that seemed no less exotic than anywhere else I’d been.

When the pandemic came along, I did what came naturally as a photographer. One by one, I’ve been capturing the people living around me.

Clare O’Connell, a concert cellist at Number 51, offers impromptu concerts from her front garden. On Victory in Europe Day, May 8, Nyree O’Brien directed a community band that played the World War II-era hit “We’ll meet again.” The youngest member is 5.

Band members plan to play the Beatles’ “Come Together” next.

“Because truly, that is what we all want to do,” she said.

My town first appeared in written records in 970, and is included in the Domesday Book. It survived plagues that ravaged Britain in the 1300s and 1600s. Since my block was built, it has seen the Spanish Flu and two world wars. Long after we’ve gone, new residents will see things I cannot even imagine.

But for now, here’s a record of my neighbors and the people I’ve grown to know, thanks to social distancing.
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  • Nanette Street looks out in to the street as remains home observing lockdown guidelines due to the coronavirus outbreak in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, March 28, 2020. Unable to go out she has been baking and sewing scrub bags for frontline health workers at home. I’ve been living on my street for about 10 years, I knew little about my neighbours. As coronavirus virus forced people to shut their doors, Neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of my people  I’ve grown to know, thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Jude 5, and Zofia 4,play in their pyjamas outside their door  at home while their mum, Katharine, looks on from her door while on lockdown due to the Coronavirus outbreak in Berkhamsted, UK Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Katharine was made furlough and has taken advantage of the extra time her leave from work has given her. She contacted “Safer Places”, a women’s refuge from domestic violence, as there has been a sharp rise in domestic abuse. She has organised donations from all the neighbours which have responded generously.(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Christopher Talbot Pondonby, a life time resident of Berkhamsted, looks out of his window observing the government guidelines which ask Britons to stay at home as social distancing continues due to the Coronavirus outbreak in Berkhamsted, UK Thursday, April 2, 2020.  Before he retired from working in the English Heritage office he photocopied some records that show the street where we live appeared on the surveyors maps around 1908. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • At # 57 Chloe Kelly stands at her door dressed in a fancy dress hard hat. Despite the lockdown Chloe and her sister Olivia enjoy dressing up even if they have no where to go. They are enjoying just spending time at home with their parents Jenny and Rob in Berkhamsted, UK Friday, April 3, 2020.  As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Theresa and Bill Dallender enjoy and impromptu concert from their neighbour across the street, Clare, a concert cello player and her husband Dom, as they sit in their front garden enjoying a glass of wine in Berkhamsted, UK Tuesday, April 21, 2020. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Isaac Skelding stands outside his front door as the neighbour's cat looks inside his house at #70 in Berkhamsted, UK Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Isaac who plays for Watford football club's under 7s, has gone from four training sessions and two matches a week to no football at all as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. When the lockdown forced people to shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Ben Fox at #31 holds his youngest son Sam upside down as Joseph 7, and Stella 9, peek from behind him, as his family stays at home due to the Coronavirus outbreak, UK Saturday, March 28, 2020. As the lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • At #67 Ava Pendergast age 7, and Jessica Pendergast age 3, get their scooters ready for their daily mid day exercise as the government lockdown guidelines allowed families one outing a day during the first 7 weeks of lockdow in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, April 4, 2020.  As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Bob and Sue Parsons look out from their window at #30. in Berkhamsted, UK Thursday, March 26, 2020. Bob and his wife Sue have lived at #30 for 40 years. They have seen  changes on the street but this is by far the strangest time they have lived through. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Ellie Davis at #32 looks out from her living room window surrounded by posters she made to thank the National Health Service in Berkhamsted, UK Tuesday, March 31, 2020. Ellie who is in year 6, her last year at primary, is now homeschooling as all schools closed due to Coronavirus pandemic. She hopes to get back to school before the end of the summer term to celebrate finishing primary school with her classmates (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Clare, a Concert cellist and  her husband Dom, a composer, offer an impromptu concert from their front door as neighbours flocked to listen while observing social distancing on our street in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, May, 2, 2020.  As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Jessica Pendergast listens to concert cellist Clare and  her husbandDom offer an impromptu concert from their front door. Neighbours flocked to listen while observing social distancing on our street in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, May 2, 2020.   As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Jo Banks at #68 drinks a babycham in her front garden decorated with bunting and a Union Jack during VE celebrations on my street in Berkhamsted, in Berkhamsted, UK Friday, May 8, 2020. Our street as many others in Britain celebrated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe on lockdown due to the Coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Louise and Will Jenkins at #10 look at Clementine Curtsey as she prepares for her ballet lesson on Zoom. As school and clubs have stopped due to coronavirus many of the lessons for children have gone online, in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, April 4, 2020.  As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  <br />
(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • At #60 Catherine and Lloyde are happy to be re united after a long month separation when Lloyde who had been visiting L.A for work was caught up in the lockdown and unable to travel back home to Berkhamsted, UK Wednesday, April 15, 2020 As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  <br />
(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Astrid 5, uses a spoon from the egg and spoon race to bang on a sauce pan as children gear up for the Easter holidays at #38. Matt Leuw, her dad, recently recovered from Coronavirus. He self isolated at home in Berkhamsted, UK Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Rachel, her mum, works as a programme manager at the NHS Royal Free Hospital which is one of the big infectious diseases investigation centres in London.(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • The Bowden family, Helen, Richard William and Tom look out from their window at #14 during the lockdown as they observe social distancing due to Coronavirus on our street in Berkhamsted, UK Sunday, May 3, 2020. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  <br />
 (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Astrid 5, and Martha 3, enjoy a scoot along their home's alley and a little freedom during the Easter holidays at #38. Matt Leuw, their dad, recently recovered from Coronavirus. He self isolated at home in Berkhamsted, UK Tuesday, April 7, 2020.  Rachel, their mum, works as a programme manager at the NHS Royal Free Hospital which is one of the big infectious diseases centres.(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Nyree O’Brien, a music teacher and neighbour at the top of my road, plays the flute as she directs a socially distant concert during VE celebrations due to the Coronavirus outbreak in Berkhamsted, UK Friday, May 8, 2020. Ours as many other streets in Britain celebrated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe on lockdown  As the coronavirus  forced people to shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Kirsty, husband Dennis, Sophie age 8 and George age 6 enjoy a Carlton family favourite game of Twister at #12.  As the UK continues to be on lockdown in Berkhamsted, UK Friday, April 10, 2020. Parents are enjoying the chance the Coronavirus crisis has given them to spend more time together as a family despite it's challenges. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Jenny and Rob Kelly sip wine next to their recycling bin as they enjoy and impromptu cello concert from their neighbour outside their home in Berkhamsted, UK Tuesday, April 21, 2020.  As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  <br />
(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Meg Johnson-Jones, who is painting a mural to acknowledge key workers in the National Health Service looks at Ivy shake her paw with her dad Mat Seymour, a fireman, at the back of their house in my street in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, May 2, 2020.  As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Neigbours gather  to play “We’ll Meet Again” for a socially distant concert during VE celebrations on our road due to the Coronavirus outbreak in Berkhamsted, UK Friday, May 8, 2020. Ours as many other streets in Britain celebrated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe on lockdown.  As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  <br />
(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • At #4 My eldest son Ben,10, right, and my youngest son Joe, 7, left, clap along with their father Rob Hodge on Thursday night, when the country comes out to their front door to cheer  for the National Health Service and frontline workers in Berkhamsted, UK Thursday, April 16, 2020. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Bob works on DIY at his home during lockdown due to the Corona virus outbreak in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, April 4, 2020. Bob Parsons and his wife Sue have lived at #30 for 40 years. They have seen changes on the street but this is by far the strangest time they have lived through. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Fran and Matt enjoy a cup of tea while basking in the sun as they observe social distancing due to the Coronavirus outbreak in Berkhamsted, UK Thursday, March 26, 2020. Matt who works in CGI special effects and Fran who works for a Charity have been both working from home, along with the rest of Britain. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, neighbours began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the people I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Janine Etuazim holds her daughter Lola as they sit in their living room window during the lockdown due to the Coronavirus outbreak, in Berkhamsted, UK Thursday, March 26, 2020.  Janine, who is a teacher and a key worker who travels to work in London once a week, teaches her own children at home the rest of the week as Britain abides by government restrictions and observes social distancing.(AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Keith and Kate Wright along with Alfie the cat stay home at # 24 as Britons practice social distancing due to the Coronavirus outbreak, in Berkhamsted, UK Sunday, March 29, 2020.I’ve been living on my street for about 10 years, I knew almost nothing about my neighbours. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, People began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the neighbours I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Emma Bird, a children’s physiotherapist who works for the NHS stretches with her daughter Evie 12, Emma's family is observing the lockdown guidelines due to the Coronavirus outbreak, in Berkhamsted, UK Tuesday, April 7, 2020. I’ve been living on my street for about 10 years, I knew almost nothing about my neighbours. As the coronavirus lockdown tightened and people shut their doors, People began introducing themselves to one another online, building a community on our street. Here’s a record of the neighbours I’ve grown to know thanks to social distancing.  (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Nicola at number #28 Thanks the Delivery man in a time where online shopping has been a means to keep families supplied with goods during the lockdown due to Coronavirus on our street in Berkhamsted, UK Sunday, May 3, 2020.  Delivery men and women carry out an essential job that helps life feel a bit more normal and enables businesses to stay afloat as social distancing has forced retail outlets to close. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Clare O’Connel at #51 holds her cello after imparting an online lesson at her home in Berkhamsted, UK Sunday, March 29, 2020. Clare, a concert Cello player has been embracing the use of technology as social distancing has asked Britons to stay at home due to the Coronavirus outbreak. She has also offered impromptu concerts from her front garden for neighbours on our street. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • At #33 Toddler Amelie and her sister Camille watch from their front window as lockdown in the UK enters it's third week along with their parents Victoria and Damian Kerr  during lockdown in Berkhamsted, UK Saturday, April 4, 2020. Victoria and Damian are both working full-time from home, but are enjoying the chance the Coronavirus crisis has given them to spend more time together as a family despite it's challenges. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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  • Piera Gerry at #19 who is a freshman at University is back home with her parents where she continues her studies online after schools closed due to the Coronavirus outbreak, in Berkhamsted, UK Sunday, April 5, 2020. As Britain abides by government restrictions and observes social distancing, students nationwide try to carry out the rest of their school year remotely. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
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