Eyam: the plague village.

It was a glorious day for October. The warm sunshine felt hopeful on our skin after putting the clocks back the night before, in anticipation of darker nights to come. Golden sun, golden leaves – the kind of colours that make you think your eyes have some sort of filter turned on accidentally. The sun fell across the patchwork of fields, illuminating them as if they were an immaculate miniature model. Walking back into the village, we passed Mompesson’s well. A reminder of an incredible piece of history, the well was used by villagers in 1665-6 to leave money, exchanged for essentials, when the entire village voluntarily isolated itself in order to prevent the spread of the plague. The villagers would leave the coins in the well and add vinegar in order to disinfect them. This unique act of voluntary seclusion by Eyam’s inhabitants meant that though they themselves paid a very high price, they undoubtably saved the lives of so many others, and contributed to a change in attitude, in the long term, in the prevention of disease. Making the most of the freedom we currently have in restrictions (with tier 3 rules incoming) – and in a mood not to take it for granted – we stocked up on supplies and parked up in the car, watching as the sun set and painted dramatic streaks across the sky. Ended the day reflective and grateful.