Auld Lang Syne on the doorstep

This year wasn’t the best timing to move to Welshpool, but Australian Gemma Esvelt says she is “really loving” the town.

Gemma (pictured), originally from Perth, Western Australia, has taken up a position at the newly opened Y Lanfa, which has merged the Powysland Museum and library under one roof.

Due to Covid-19, it has been a pretty lonely introduction to life in rural Wales and she admits it has been a “rather lonely Christmas” being on the other side of the world from her family and friends.

But she is calling on her fellow residents not to be defeated by the virus tomorrow night and to come out at midnight to celebrate the start of what we all hope to be a special New Year by singing Auld Lang Syne on our doorsteps.

“I live on my own and have only just moved to Welshpool so it has been a rather lonely Christmas,” said Gemma.

“My family are overseas so I won't really have anyone to celebrate the New Year with due to time zones and Covid restrictions - and I am sure a lot of others are facing this too, that feeling of loneliness and dreariness of winter.

“I wasn’t in Welshpool during the first lockdown so also never got to experience that sense of community with the Thursday clap for the frontline workers.” 

Gemma said it has been hard to spark up any relationships but is looking forward to enjoying everything the area has to offer once normality returns.

“I am really loving Welshpool, it is such a pretty town with beautiful scenery,” she said.

“I particularly love going for walks up to Powis Castle. I'm guessing during normal times Welshpool is a rather busy excitable town and I hope to see that one day.

“Through the library I have been able to meet some locals but as you can imagine, being behind a mask and having to keep at a distance doesn't make socialising or community building very easy!”

She is now hoping that the Welshpool area will join her by coming out at midnight to shout Happy New Year and belt out Auld Lang Syne. 

“This is my first New Year's in the UK, and I've heard that Auld Lang Syne is a popular piece to sing and singing is such a great way to build up a sense that we are all in this together!” she said. “I was thinking people could bring a candle/torch out with them too!

“It would be so nice to see people even if it’s just from their doors and to try and be a bit more cheerful about the New Year.”