New life, new hope .. and a chance to fashion life for us all in the UK

SARAH DINES recalls her first public engagement as a Westminster candidate... at town’s Remembrance Day parade and service

EASTER is a wonderful time of year and not just because of the abundance of chocolate eggs, which I do happen to enjoy.

Easter, and its message of physical resurrection and spiritual rebirth holds a special importance for many of us in Derbyshire Dales.

Derbyshire has its own unique Easter and spring tradition of Well Dressing, a custom of offering thanks for a reliable water supply.

Initially suppressed by ecclesiastical authorities, Tissington was the first village to re-introduce well dressings in 1349, after the village managed to escape a previous pandemic that swept through England at this time.

Everywhere you look at the moment there are signs of spring and rebirth. Blossom is returning to the trees and daffodils seem to be everywhere.

In my job as the MP, I am lucky enough to travel the length and breadth of the Derbyshire Dales, visiting constituents and businesses.

I have met many local farmers to discuss their various concerns and sometimes, if I am very lucky, I also get to meet their animals. I have spent time with day-old calves and dayold lambs and I challenge anyone not to have a good day after meeting a baby animal.

We are also at a turning point in the pandemic and for the first time in what has felt like a very long time, restrictions are starting to ease and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

However, we must remain vigilant. Many of you will have no doubt seen television coverage of mass gatherings in the past week or so and

I share your concerns at the non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations we all witnessed.

I do not want to see the clear progress against this virus that we are making undermined by the selfishness of a small minority of people not following the rules.

Like all of you I know how desperately hard it is not see friends and family, or hug your loved ones, but now is not the time to ignore or bend the rules as they unfold in the next month or two, not when we have come so far.

It feels right that this time of change is coinciding with the change in seasons and the new beginning that Easter promises.

In the face of the grievous loss of life due to Covid-19 and the many people who have been hospitalised, we have also seen the remarkable resilience of our people locally as they have adapted to a new life style and employment and business practices.

My weekly visits to businesses from Hathersage to Kirk Langley and from Ashbourne to Matlock have shown me how good old-fashioned Derbyshire common sense and thinking outside the box can-do has more than met the challenges posed by the economic upheaval caused by Covid-19.

I am also impressed with entrepreneurs in Ashbourne who have not only coped with this upheaval but have exciting new projects and town business plans aimed at revitalising the high street.

All this has also coincided with the United Kingdom’s rebirth as an independent nation once again as we left the European Union, something which has similarly highlighted British resilience, can-do, ingenuity and enterprise. Our country has a great future ahead of it on the global stage and Derbyshire will continue to play an important part in the years ahead.

I hope that your Easter was spent seeing loved ones and especially children in a Covid compliant way and that you have all enjoyed as many chocolate eggs as you could stomach.

If we continue to be vigilant, I am hopeful that we have a brilliant summer ahead of us.

I have spent time with day-old calves and lambs and I challenge anyone not to have a good day after that...