CZECH REPUBLIC

RICHARD JAMES

WINTERSTOKE 1983-1987

PRAGUE – AUGUST 2020

The Czech Repulic dealt with the pandemic quickly. Wearing of masks was mandatory from late March, most shops closed immediately (expect supermarkets and petrol stations). Some villages were sectioned off to prevent spreading of the virus.

Borders were closed with Germany, Austria, Poland and Slovakia. Even newsreaders wore masks!

Luckily I work from my home music studio, so my personal working life was totally unaffected by lockdown. Nevertheless, the absence of travel and socialising was difficult. Fortunately, lockdown happened in spring and there’s always lots of gardening to keep me busy. Nevertheless, life did feel different. I think children are going to find it difficult to go back to school. The biggest impact on my life was the simple restriction of travel and therefore not being able to see my family face-to-face.

The country did ease Lockdown slowly. It was actually very nice to be in Prague without thousands of appalling tourists. Mask wearing may be reintroduced in September.

Recently, it has felt like life is returning to normal (even though we know it’s not the case).

If I’m honest my lifestyle hasn’t changed as a result of the pandemic. I can travel now, but visiting relations in the UK is potentially risky for both parties. In speaking to friends and family in various countries, there’s definitely been an impact, particularly for those who are isolated and alone. There are a number of things I miss about Mill Hill. I enjoyed certain aspects, like the CCF, some sports, friends etc. What was called the Old Gym at the time had long-forgotten relics of an earlier age, like wooden panels listing the schools boxing champions, and the old CCF office still had the feint echoes of the British Empire with flags and drums. It would be nice to revisit those in exploring the history of MHS. I liked the library, although all the best books were locked up and never taken out. I remember finding a heap of discarded old MHS annuals in the Murray Scriptorium. I did hear years later that some notable first editions were also found there. I used the phone in the Murray Scriptorium to call NASA and JPL.

Looking back, however, there were many aspects which were well below standard (especially given the level of fees involved). Notably the very archaic living quarters and some rather uninspiring teaching staff employed at the time (there were notable exceptions of course). The grounds in MHS were always fantastic – probably lost on most pupils of course.