Despite subtle but sure growth, 2021 will be a year most around Alexandra and Clyde will be quite glad to leave behind.

Vincent Community Board chairperson Martin McPherson reflects on the past 12 months and his ward’s hopes for 2022.

The property market has got people talking this year across the Vincent ward but Martin says his heart goes out to buyers trying to get a foot in the door.

“Property prices are going absolutely nuts here with houses selling in record time although whether it’s new people coming in or investors it’s hard to tell. It’s good to see shops that have been empty for years filling up.

Generally speaking I’d say things are pretty good.”

At the start of 2021 people were circumspect, he says, initially celebrated being out of lockdown, then after the second round in August there came a growing sense of resentment.

Protests and grumblings were not going to be confined to big centres, it seemed. “We’ve seen it locally, the odd protest here, the posters giving the Mayor a hard time. It’s not big

numbers but it seems that Covid has bought out the best in many people and the worst in some.

But small communities do look after each other. During the lockdown you didn’t even think about it you just knocked on people’s doors and said I’m off to the supermarket do you need anything.” Cancelling the Blossom Festival for the first time in its 65-year history - a well-loved event on Central’s calendar- was a real blow, Martin says.

“On a personal level it was quite difficult, when you see a year’s work go down the toilet. But from a community perspective a lot of really nice things happened. People had street parties, the Four Square store dressed itself up, Terrace School had a mini-blossom festival pulled together in 48 hours, it was just brilliant. I was invited along to many of these smaller events and it heartened me.”

Something that added to that silver lining was the unexpected level of kindness and support expressed to him personally, with not one negative comment heard in reaction to a cancellation that was a huge disappointment to so many.

“People know how passionate I am about that event and its importance to the community. People asking after you and asking how you’re feeling. It is one of the reasons I live here.” When a Christchurch friend called to ask if he was coming up to visit in the holidays Martin’s response was “why should I leave paradise.”

Cherry Chaos was also cancelled but Blossom festival 2022, at least, is already being planned. People are now weary and nervous of visitors bringing Covid to Central, Martin says, but most accept this as inevitable. Yes, the area was prepared but that didn’t mean it was okay with the situation.

No-one wants it here, he says, and the wealth of misinformation muddying the waters didn’t help - he urges people not to rely on tik-tok and other social media for their news.

While the year had been a bit of a slog in parts, it was great to bring the Spatial Plan to a conclusion and now look to the development and opportunities for growth that will bring.

There was also now a light at the end of the tunnel for Clyde’s roadwork upheavals, the major water reticulation work and associated delays.

The sky-rocketing of the cost of living was worrisome, Martin says, with food bills in particular going through the roof.

“There are people there who are really struggling and I’m well aware of families doing it hard. We all need to remember that and if you get an opportunity to spread some cheer – it might be as simple as putting a few bits and pieces into the Foodbank collection point at the supermarket, just spread the love.

He says if there ever was an optimal time for any sort of random act of kindness…now’s good.