A Christmas proposal, New Year’s Honours, a lockdown wedding and Wycombe Wanderers making it to the Championship – these are just some of the good news stories to have come out of Bucks in 2021.
While 2020 was a tough year, full of doom and gloom, and dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, there were also many stories of hope and cheer – and some funny ones too.
We have rounded up the best stories that made us smile in 2020. Covid-19 might have dominated the headlines but many of these stories remind us that Bucks’ community spirit is alive and well.
A group of Cubs and Scouts raised more than £1,000 for the Wycombe Homeless Connection after they camped out during Storm Dennis in February.
The novel coronavirus swept into the UK at an alarming rate at the start of the year – but community groups and individuals rallied together to support the vulnerable and those shielding.
A number of groups were set up to help during the first national lockdown, while businesses that could banded together to support the community during what has, arguably, been the toughest time in recent history.
From students sending in poems, pictures and letters to elderly care home residents to supermarket staff delivering food to the vulnerable and restaurants giving away food to those in need, the community joined forces to help during these unprecedented times.
ALSO READ:
- Coronavirus in Bucks: Some of the incredible organisations helping those in need
- Some of the brilliant Bucks companies helping in the fight against coronavirus
Local newspapers across Newsquest joined forces in April to raise money for workers at the frontline of the healthcare crisis – and our generous readers helped to raise more than £17,000 as part of the Support Our Guardian Angels campaign.
In total, across Newsquest’s network of 160 local papers, readers raised more than £503,990 for hospital charities and trusts.
Celebrity chef Tom Kerridge set up his Meals for Marlow scheme in April to help frontline workers, the vulnerable and the elderly – and raised more than £175,000, which equated to 75,000 meals, thanks to generous residents who dug deep to donate.
In other news, Ivy Reeves celebrated her 100th birthday in hospital in May after fighting off coronavirus, with her son given special permission to visit her in hospital. He helped her open cards, enjoyed some cake and delivered Ivy’s message from the Queen.
July saw the Chairboys defeat Oxford at Wembley to get into the Championship for the first time in their 133-year history.
Runner Carla Molinaro, from Chalfont St Giles, broke the women's record for running from Land's End to John O'Groats in August - completing the route in 12 days, 30 minutes and 14 seconds.
The Big Sleepout in November raised £50,000 for Wycombe Homeless Connection after more than 340 people took part. Due to the pandemic this year, people from all over the town and beyond chose a range of uncomfortable, awkward and hard places to bed down at home, to replicate the struggles of homelessness.
A funny story came in the form of pub worker Toby Green, who joked that I’m A Celeb star Shane Richie “owed” him £1.85 for a lemonade from more than a decade ago.
December saw the story of High Wycombe couple Kat and Taylor Collins, who tied the knot during the pandemic. They got married in a modest ceremony at Gretna Green, with their wedding meal taking place at Pizza Express after their catering was forced to be cancelled.
In other great news, grandfather Brian Horne, from Chalfont St Peter, become the first in Bucks to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in what was hailed as an “historic day” for the county.
And Marlow man Luke Brewin asked his girlfriend, Victoria Page, to marry him while she was on horseback, in a romantic Christmas Day proposal at the West Wycombe Estate.
Coca-Cola spotted a BFP article on an incredible Christmas lights display in the town – part of the High Wycombe Winter Windowland Christmas Trail 2020 which was raising money for Wycombe Women’s Aid – and pledged to donate £500 to the local charity.
Finally, the New Year’s Honours list was revealed on December 30, with 13 Bucks residents recognised for their outstanding work in supporting key services and communities.
Were there any other stories that cheered you up in 2020? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here