Back in uncertain times

WE’VE been through torrid times this last couple of years, and we’ve all been hoping for a relaxing opportunity to get together with friends and family this festive season. I’ve been longing to see my son who lives in South Africa and the get-together has been put off several times, but finally he arrived in the UK just two days before Omicron hit the headlines, so it’s been great to catch up with him, and we are really going to make the most of Christmas together.

I’m sure everyone has been disappointed that, after months of the situation seeming to improve, we’re back in uncertain times, and many people with family abroad will not be as lucky as me, and have had to readjust their plans yet again, I feel really sad for them, as I know how it feels.

It’s been good to see that people in Nottingham seem to be taking the threat of another spoiled Christmas seriously, and when I went into the city to do some shopping last week, the vast majority were wearing masks in shops, on public transport and also on the busy streets. I walked down Clumber Street and hardly anyone was maskless, which seemed quite incredible.

Alongside this there have been reports of lots of cancellations of parties and this will obviously hit the hospitality industry when it was just beginning to recover, and that’s worrying for lots of people who work in the sector and rely on this normally busy time of year.

Let’s hope the Government comes up with some support for them if things don’t improve quickly.

There have been long queues trying to get a booster jab, and it’s clear that the capacity of the existing vaccination centres around here wasn’t up to it, so I’m really glad to know that there are new centres opening up, and hopefully lots of people will be able to give themselves an early Christmas present and get jabbed.

This last few weeks I’ve been at a few neighbourhood Christmas events, which have been lovely, and although quite modest affairs, were a contrast to the complete cancellations last year. There was lots of lovely Christmassy music, with young artists singing and playing, choirs of schoolchildren and, because of what we’ve all been through, people were really happy to enjoy these simple celebrations. Last week the Nottingham Music Hub broadcast on Youtube their Christmas In The City 2021 event, which gave the opportunity for 2,700 local schoolchildren to sing and play music. If you want a real feel-good hour you can still watch.

Here’s to a very Merry Christmas and a much better, healthier, New Year.