Epic claps for carers, Easter egg hunts, dance parties – the Eastbourne neighbourhood which has come together

Queens Road and Queens Crescent off st Anthony’s Avenue have mobilised via Whatsapp group to make sure no one in the street is left behind.

But alongside shopping for people who are shielding, creating their own mini food bank, and making masks for local GP surgeries, the community has also come together to have a bit of fun.

This weekend there is an Easter egg poster competition, egg hunt (with social distancing measures), and cuddly toy displays in windows.

Darren Scott, who got the ball rolling by starting the Queens Collective Whatsapp group, said, “It’s about keeping everybody positive during these dark times, and helping everyone who needs it.

“We have all come together. I think if people can see what we can do in our little road it can only be a good thing.”

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Queens Collective started two weeks ago with a small group of people who just wanted to keep an eye out for eachother.

They dropped leaflets around the neighbourhood inviting everyone to a community Whatsapp group. Within 48 hours, it had more than 70 members.

“It’s gone from there,” said Darren, “Shopping, gardening, any way we can help people we do.

“There’s lots of events going on for the kids, trying to keep them going while they’re home from school.

“It’s very mixed aged group on the road, from zero to 100.”

Local Royal Mail workers have donated around 100 various food cans to be given out to needy residents.

And each Thursday evening at 8pm, they join the nation in clapping for the NHS. But Queens Collective calls it Happy Clapping, and the event has taken off into a jamboree of celebration, with pots and pans being clattered and cars’ hazards lights flashing.

There is also a ‘dancing on your drive’ event each Saturday for neighbours to brush off their best moves, jigsaw puzzle swapping, and children have painted and coloured more than 80 rainbows to brighten up windows.

Residents who live on their own will have an Easter egg put on their doorstep this weekend.

Darren, 49, said, “There are people that can’t see their family. An Easter egg on Sunday morning could be a big pick me up.”

“It’s so important with so much negativity out there at the moment, doing this puts a smile on people’s faces.

“One of the worst things at the moment is depression, so if this cheers someone up it’s worth it 100 per cent.”

The dad of four, who works in sales, has lived there for five years.

He said his elderly neighbour, who has lived in Queens Road for 76 years, told him he hadn’t seen anything like it for as along as he could remember.

Darren said, “It’s growing every day. Fingers crossed after this is all over we hope to carry on as an excellent community.”