LOCKDOWN MELTS AWAY IN THE FEBRUARY SUNSHINE
IT IS still a week until you can legally meet a friend in a park for a picnic.
But crowds still flocked to public areas around the country over the weekend to take advantage of the sunshine and above-average temperatures – despite Government appeals to remain indoors.
Hundreds walked along Newcastle Quayside, while up and down the country groups cracked open cans of beer in parks. In London, the Portobello Road market was packed.
In South Wales, police manned the roads leading to the beach at Barry Island to check if motorists were on essential journeys.
And Covid marshalls were overwhelmed in Brighton, East Sussex, as thousands thronged on the beach – buoyed perhaps by the vaccine rollout’s continuing success.
Chivenor in Devon recorded 13.8C (56.8F) by mid-afternoon yesterday, with most parts of the country reaching double figures. Large parts of the South West saw unbroken bouts of sunshine with just a few clouds.
The Met Office’s Rachel Ayers said: ‘Obviously with the stay at home message everyone should be enjoying the weather from their back gardens.’
It will only be legal to meet another person outside for a picnic from March 8. Meeting more people outside for social activities will not be permitted until March 29 at the earliest, according to the Government.
Nevetheless the sunny weather is a far cry from the flood waters seen a couple of weeks ago and the surest sign yet that winter is almost behind us.