Isla McLachlan: In these uncertain times it's great to be back home in Hitchin

By Layth Yousif

28th Dec 2020 | Opinion

Hitchin Nub News columnist and busy teacher Isla McLachlan returned back to her hometown prior to Tier 4 restrictions being put in place - and is glad she did.

Read on for Isla's reflections on her 2020, as a visit from a robin augurs well - while she savours a well-timed comfort in returning to Hitchin during her Christmas break.

..................

It is funny to think that the last time I wrote for Hitchin Nub News, in August, the world seemed to be returning to some sense of normality.

Now, that seems a more distant memory, along with the summer sun!

Teaching in a pandemic has been an interesting experience.

Whereas in the summer term all of the students were in one place, namely, the other side of a computer screen, the winter term saw the necessity of a hybrid teaching style where some children attended lessons in the classroom, some attended 'live' via video call, and others watched recordings when the time differences across the world allowed.

With Covid guidance changing sometimes on a weekly basis, there was a level of surrealism in discussing Shakespeare on a cold, wintery UK morning with a student in the sunny Singapore afternoon.

That being said, the feeling of connectedness between those so separate has perhaps never been so keenly felt - whether that is from teaching, or zoom calls with family and friends.

I recently visited Southampton in order to take a test for Covid as part of the University's trial.

No sooner had I parked, than a robin had landed on my wing-mirror.

This served as a welcome reminder of some of the positive effects on nature the restricted movements of humanity have had and, although we wouldn't wish these on anyone, the visibility of a silver lining in most places we may choose to look.

With this in mind, I felt very grateful not only for the opportunity to return home to Hitchin, safe in the knowledge that I had tested negative for Covid, but also before the Tier 4 restrictions came into being.

In a time of so much change and so much uncertainty, nothing really beats the return to one's hometown, with the annual accompaniment of Chris Rea, of course!

Whether it's a wander through the lights of the market place or Hermitage road, or a country walk out to Charlton, being home in Hitchin is as comforting as a mug of Christmas cocoa, and it's a well-timed comfort at the end of such a year.

PREVIOUS HITCHIN NUB NEWS OPINION ARTICLES BY OUR COHORT OF TRUSTED CONTRIBUTORS

Isla McLachlan: Hitchin - a small place with a big heart

Jess Princeton from Riot Lounge: We Love Hitchin

Sparky's Hitchin View: The winter solstice

Sparky's Hitchin View: The Red Kite

Sparky's Hitchin View: Roots, Rock and Rebels: a walk back in time on the Icknield Way

Sparky's Hitchin View: The valley of the dinosaur, the haunted chapel and a rusty gun

Sparky's Hitchin View: The mighty English oak

Sparky's Hitchin View: A lockdown escape climbing Wilbury Hill

Sparky's Hitchin View: Mysterious tombs, a ghostly chieftain, hidden treasure and a headless horseman - it must be Halloween

Sparky's Hitchin View: In praise of Oughtonhead Wonders

Sparky's Hitchin View: Let glorious autumnal colours bring us cheer

Sparky's Hitchin View: The treasure that is Deacon Hill

Sparky's Hitchin View: One swallow does not make a summer but a gulp may signal the end...

Sparky's Hitchin View: Is our water destined for The Wash or the wash...?

Neil Jensen: Shine on brightly but please consider the climate

Neil Jensen: What will aftermath of pandemic look like in Hitchin

Neil Jensen: Why the pandemic is a good chance for us to rest and revalue

Neil Jensen on Hitchin's coffee shop culture

Joanne Harte - how to get better at de-cluttering

Money expert Michelle Hoskin on avoiding financial abuse

Zac Cash: My message to new university students at start of freshers week

Zac Cash: How we can draw parallels between 19th century social reform and the 'new normal'

Zac Cash on the US election and LGBT rights

Jay Drackford Stevenage FC column: We Will Meet Again

Jay Drackford Stevenage FC column: Morecambe preview, FA Cup draw, Concord review, Tom Pett and more

Jay Drackford Stevenage FC column: Let's get behind the Boro!

Freddy Cardy: More mixed government messages on Covid crisis

Paul Chambers: Why I'm honoured to be involved in Hitchin's Black History Month

Judi Billing: Inept government response to Covid is failing us all...

Kieran Murphy from PHASE hails HCF

Alex Slater: Live entertainment is struggling, we need help

Hitchin MP Bim Afolami: PM's decision to 'pull handbrake' is sensible

Layth Yousif: My week: Sir Kier Starmer's visit

Layth Yousif: My week - sources not sauces

Roy Izzard: Bim backs Canaries

Roy Izzard hails generous gesture

Tom Hardy: Hitchin stronger and more resilient after lockdown

     

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