We will all get a spring in our step as positives loom on the horizon

The sight of bluebells is symbolic of better times to come soon, says Sarah Dines

THIS past week it has started to feel like spring is just on the horizon in Derbyshire. If you look closely, the bluebells are starting to sprout out of the soil and everything is starting to look a bit greener. Even the birds seem to be singing more.

The start of spring for me always brings with it the feeling of change, hope and new beginnings, and this year, despite the ongoing challenges, it is wonderful to see renewal and innovation in Ashbourne.

The vaccination programme brings us hope at a time when, in our darkest moments during this pandemic, some of us have felt hopeless. It is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I am overjoyed every time I receive an email, phone call or letter from a constituent saying they have had theirs. Without fail they praise the organisation of the vaccination programme in Derbyshire and I wholeheartedly agree with them. Where there have been any problems, these have been fixed at record pace and the vaccination team, including all the volunteers, are working flat out to protect us. I really can’t thank these people enough.

Looking at local examples of new beginnings and innovation, last week I visited the site of the new sports pavilion in Ashbourne with Cllr Stuart Lees. The building of the site is well under way and when completed will be a fantastic asset to the town.

The new pavilion is designed to enhance the quality of sporting provision within Ashbourne and surrounding areas by providing a community hub for outdoor sports and community use, that can be a base to increase sport and in doing so improve health and educational benefits through sport for the community. Sport obviously has a positive impact on everyone’s health, but for children and our young people I believe sporting clubs and opportunities are vital.

The physical and mental health benefits of playing and taking part in a sport team are perhaps even more important now than ever before.

I have spoken before about my concern for our young people’s mental health during this pandemic and I am delighted that, going forward, when it is safe to do so, Ashbourne will have a state-of-theart facility which will encourage as many young people as possible to take up a sport and join a team.

When we think about new beginnings, we also often think about things that have changed.

Last week I took a moment to visit Ashbourne Memorial, which is undergoing some brilliant maintenance works currently. I took a moment for myself to remember all the people we have lost during this pandemic and all the people who have died protecting our country during wars and conflicts.

There is no denying that we have lost so much recently: the ability to hug our loved ones and our usual social activities and, for some, they have lost people they love. Once again, I want to extend my sincerest condolences to anyone who has faced a bereavement during this time.

As the weather gets warmer and the first spring flowers start to make their way out the ground, let us look towards the future, whilst remembering and honouring the past. Springtime in Derbyshire is beautiful, so if you can and it is safe to do so, get outside and breathe in the changing seasons.

Let us look towards the positives just on the horizon, focus on keeping each other safe and getting through this incredibly difficult time together.