AN inspirational villager swapped locks of hair for lockdown kindness as she arranged a host of events and activities to keep people’s spirits up.
Hairdresser Emma Thrower has proven top of the crops during the pandemic and been nominated as one of our Community Champions.
Village historian Jill Hamblin dropped us a line to tell us about her amazing work in Ardleigh.
She described Mrs Thrower as a “true community champion” whose acts of kindness in the past 12 months have included arranging VE Day celebrations and distributing goodies at Christmas.
Mrs Hamblin said: “Our VE Day celebrations obviously had to be abandoned when Covid struck.
“However, Emma came up with the idea of us all picnicking in our red, white and blue-decorated front gardens at the same time so we celebrated in a different way.
Season of goodwill - Abigail and Bertie Elden receive a visit from Father Christmas
“She had already realised lockdown meant older people might be isolated and brought gifts of flowers and offers of help to many of us.
“Emma continued to help people throughout the spring and summer and then came up with a wonderful scheme for Christmas, collecting baskets of goodies to distribute to Ardleigh’s Kings and Queens (the older generation).
“She also organised for Father Christmas to tour round the centre of the village, distributing gifts to children.
“Emma has now been persuaded to go on to the parish council, where her ideas can inspire others.”
Mrs Hamblin added that Mrs Thrower (pictured above) had been supported in much of her work by Graham Cole, the village lollipop man and maintenance manager at Ardleigh St Mary’s Primary School.
“He enlivened village weekends throughout the summer by playing music through loudspeakers in the school playground and encouraging everyone within earshot to join in dancing,” added Mrs Hamblin.
“He also played a central role in Santa’s tour.”
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