As Peterborough ends the year in Tier 4 and on high alert nobody in the city thinks we’re through the woods yet. But life went on, of course, and inPeterborough there was, as usual, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Today, in my end of year awards I pick the people who despite everything had a good year.
It is of course wildly subjective and I’m aware that this year of all years many ordinary people did extraordinary things with no fanfare and no recognition.
Anyway, and in no particular order, here’s my list of the Peterborough people of 2020.
A very happy Christmas to all of them and to all of you.
See you next year... hopefully at some point without masks and social distancing!
5.
Damian Wawrzyniak - Damian is the talented Polish chef who runs the House Of Feasts. As well as giving a considerable boost to Peterborough’s culinary offer, Damian has refused to be bowed by the pandemic despite his industry being hit harder than most. From baking bread to takeaway Sunday dinners and even selling Christmas trees, his resourcefulness is an example to us all. Photo: Midlands
6.
Toby Wood - This retired city headteacher is now best known as one of the leading lights of Peterborough Civic Society and one of the movers behind the excellent blue plaque scheme that has enriched the city centre (and provided excellent content for our Looking Back pages!). The civic society has played a vital role questioning, in a constructive way, the developments proposed for the city. On occasion it seems like Toby and his colleagues have become the city’s official opposition.They are certainly a force for good. Photo: Midlands
7.
Abdul Choudhuri - As the current chairman of the Faizan e Madina Mosque Abdul is renowned throughout the city as a strong community leader and a huge force for interfaith understanding and co-operation. This year he received a top award from no less than the Archbishop of Canterbury and he has been prominent in community efforts to slow the spread of the virus. Photo: Midlands
8.
Nathan Murdoch - When he was painting his brilliant murals on city subways street artist Nathan Murdoch can’t have imagined it would bring worldwide fame. But his Taverners Road subway painting of a black and white hand struck a global chord with rap icon Ice T so impressed he shared the image to more than a million social media followers. The message of racial harmony was one all Peterborough could be proud of.