Spring offers hope of new beginnings after a grim 12 months

THE first signs of spring are starting to appear, with snowdrops blooming, daffodils sprouting and the days drawing out.

And what an important spring it will be for us all.

While it’s sad that we’ll not be out watching and playing Shrovetide this year, there’s some very uplifting news from our local health services in terms of vaccinations.

An absolutely heroic effort is putting the area comfortably ahead of most areas of the country, with the next cohort, the over-65s, now in sight and soon to be receiving invitations for vaccines.

This incredible milestone has come about thanks to hard work, immaculate orgnisation and determination by all our frontline workers and it’s becoming clear that, if we can keep up the pace and the deliveries keep arriving, thousands and thousands of our residents will be able to feel safer by the end of February.

During March, we’ll be ticking off some grim milestones. A year since the start of the first lockdown, a year since the great toilet roll shortage, a year since our shops and pubs closed.

But, given the pace of the vaccinations, and the current signs of an easing of infection rates, let’s hope there will be some loosening of our current lockdown next month.

The arrival of spring is a time of new beginnings, a new start for nature, and it’s an uplifting time for everyone, especially so this year as we emerge from one of the darkest winters for a generation.

To everyone involved in vaccinating the community, a huge thank you. Because of your endeavours we could have something to look forward to this spring – and not just the sunshine.