My lockdown life: Madeleine Waters
Our PR guru shares how she’s coping in lockdown
Madeleine pictured at home in lockdown with her girls Jess (right), and Emily.
Calm, chaotic, busy, feeding frenzy
The biggest change for me has been switching from in person events to virtual events and the logistics challenges that presents and learning the new rules of virtual event management. Everything seems to take a lot longer!
I think Borough Wines has done a really good job of rapidly adapting their business model and launching an online shop. They’re running a series of virtual tastings with small tasting samples sent out to participants, hosted by sommeliers who find themselves without work. I also think Berkmann were quick to act and come up a scheme that allowed them to help their on trade customers via their Help4Hospitality scheme which has already raised just over £34k in donations to help the hospitality industry.
I’m permanently doing one of the following: zooms, online quizzes and virtual drinks, House Party, checking in with WhatsApp groups sharing information about what’s open locally, and helping others who need shopping.
I’ll miss the relative calm of my days, no time wasted travelling, much calmer pace of life. I’m sleeping so much better (and longer). And having all my family home together.
Hug everyone! We’ll have a big get together with all our friends for starters, and travel to visit family and friends we are unable to see right now. Did I mention hugs?!
I’m keeping on top of trade news via The Buyer, Harpers and Drinks Business. But I’m not sure what else I read! I do love @katehawkings #seclusionsnifters on Twitter.
The first couple of weeks, we had ‘a drink with Boris’ every day at the press conference because it was all so stressful. But now I try and make it dry until at least Thursday (work samples and tastings obviously don’t count!). We’ve been drinking a lot of different wines – we’ve been buying by the case, which we normally wouldn’t do. Aperol is also perfect for the lovely weather – and we’re having lots of sparkling wines as I’m currently studying that unit for my Diploma.