In recent days, as Croydon has been forced into staying at home, people have become more desperate than ever to get outside for some fresh air. Parks and public spaces have seen a significant increase in use as people exercise to keep healthy.

However, there have been concerns that perhaps these public spaces are being overused – with many people driving to Kenley Aerodrome to get their exercise. Glenn Sturges, a local resident, said that at the beginning of the week, “there were loads of cars, more than usual”. While the guidelines on what constitutes as ‘local’ remain unclear, people are concerned that in the next few weeks, it will be critical that people are reducing physical contact with others, as the peak of the virus is expected to be soon. But if areas like Kenley aerodrome continue to be used by vast volumes of people, some coming from long distances, the chances of the virus spreading remains higher. However, Sturges also noted that by the end of the week, “it was quite a bit less” – with many staying away as the Government threatened harsher isolation methods.

Contagion is not the only risk, though. There are fears that the additional travel to areas for exercise will result in accidents, leading to further strain on emergency services.

The problem of where to exercise in densely populated suburbs is not an easy one to answer. The government have made it clear that despite the recent restrictions, physical exercise is still incredibly important. Not only does it help cope with the stresses of the situation by improving one’s mental health, but it is also ensures our immune system is fit and healthy, to ensure a swift recovery if one catches the virus.

Despite these benefits, people who live in flats or densely populated estates have found it challenging to exercise in their immediate area, whilst also preventing the potential spread of the virus. This has caused many of them to travel to parks like Kenley Aerodrome.

During World War Two, planes that fought in the Battle of Britain took off from Kenley Aerodrome – where a united effort from all residents protected the UK from destruction and violence. Today in these ‘war-like’ times, Kenley Aerodrome has returned to a battlefield – where local residents are using it to stay calm in times of chaos and stay healthy to protect themselves from getting ill.

If history can teach us anything, it is clear that in times of great struggle, the only way to get through it is to come together. By following the guidelines, helping those who are vulnerable and giving those in the NHS what they need, we can beat this virus. It is as the Queen said, “whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together”.   

By Nicholas James, Wilson’s School