EVERY Thursday at 8pm, socially distanced residents have emerged from their homes to enjoy a moment of unity with their neighbours.

They have applauded, played instruments, banged pots and pans together, and sometimes even set off fireworks, all in the name of celebrating the efforts of NHS and care workers.

Last Thursday’s Clap for Carers, the tenth week of this nationwide event, may have been the last.

Its founder Annemarie Plas, 36, said she has no problem with people continuing to gather to clap but said she will not be among those taking part in future fearing the event was becoming politicised and wanting to go out on a high.

Motivations aside, Clap for Carers has proved to be an opportunity for the more inventive to pay their respects to those battling coronavirus on the frontline.

Some have also taken the chance to entertain bored and isolated neighbours.

Take Simon Bloom, 43, from Wivenhoe, who, every Thursday at 8pm, has donned fancy dress in the style of a jockey and adapted his bicycle to become a steed.

What started out as a means of amusing friends and close neighbours blossomed into a hotly-anticipated theatrical show.

Friend and neighbour Joanne Carpenter said: “It started with a jousting stick, a Zorro mask, then one of the little girls in the road requested he added some extras themed on the Disney film Frozen, which consisted of a blonde plaited hair piece and tutu.

“He never lets his audience down and in difficult times has put a smile on lots of faces.

“He has made some memories for young children during uncertain and anxious times.

“This week the girls requested he add some clip-on earrings and my son asked that he carry a lightsaber.”

Simon’s self-styled “Clop for Carers” is a far cry from his career as a marketing strategist for an American tech firm.

The father-of-two said: “The kids think it is hilarious, they love helping me get the bike ready.

“The wife, I think, is in part mortified, but also knows how I am and appreciates it is a bit of fun.

“She takes pictures and videos and is supportive.”

Simon, who has a son, aged 15, and a daughter, aged 13, added: “My girl, Ruby made some of the outfits herself, and I give them various tasks to help.

“It started out when my neighbours would come out for Clap for Carers and we said we should do it in fancy dress.

“I came out in this jockey outfit and they came out in 60s-style clothes, and they suggested ‘Why don’t you go around various roads in Wivenhoe’.

“The reaction was amazing, but I thought from the start what I don’t want to do is disrespect the reason behind Clap for Carers.

“So I started challenging kids to think of ways to change the theme, getting to the point last week where I was wearing make-up.

“It is just a bit of fun, I am happy to have a laugh at my own expense and as the weeks have gone by people have started to look out for me coming past.

“I work from home but a lot of people don’t have that luxury. Our frontline workers, our NHS staff, so it is nice to do something that honours them and also breaks the monotony of being confined to your home.”

Some villages and towns have honed in further on the human faces behind the daily figures and death tolls.

Bradfield residents lit candles after Thursday’s final Clap for Carers, to remember and honour people who have died during the pandemic.

Dennis Hawes, of Steam Mill Road, said his initiative had a great response and was supported by more than 50 households.

“Thousands of people have suffered because of coronavirus and many have died, so we have to honour them all,” he said.

“The virus is a terrible thing and the disruption it has caused is incredible.

“There’s going to be a lot of people losing their jobs or trying to find a new one.”