Community spirit is alive and well

It has been a difficult week, and it may well be that the weekend brings precious little respite. March has arrived but there is nothing spring-like about the weather conditions, with the UK well and truly in a deep freeze.

The so-called beast from the east has caused havoc across much of the country, with public transport grinding to a halt and schools closed.

Latterly there have been reports of panic-buying amid dwindling supplies of staples such as bread and milk. Yet it is not all bad news.

The conditions have also brought out the best in many people, showing community spirit — despite all the dire warnings to the contrary — remains alive and well.

Neighbours have been looking out for one another. Strangers have helped out those less fortunate in their hour of need. Care and health workers have put in extra hours to cover for colleagues unable to make it in to their place of work.

It has been an extraordinary few days, but the way in which ordinary people have risen to the associated challenges has been equally incredible.

Yes, the weather has been difficult to cope with, and yes we are not out of the woods yet.

But we can all be proud of each other — and rest easy in the knowledge that people are still willing to look out for one another, whatever personal challenges they face.