It's going to be hugely tough, particularly for the elderly and those with young children who don't understand why they can't go out and play with friends.
Managed to get the latest Hethersett Herald out this morning (a couple of days later than I had hoped but things just kept changing). It ended up as another bumper issue with plenty of features, news and photographs. I hope everyone enjoys reading it and hopefully feel that it is an important part of Hethersett life.
Almost immediately the edition came out I received a wonderful message. I don't want to identify the sender through a fear of embarrassing him. Let's just say it's someone who knows what they are talking about when it comes to publications. He referred to the Herald as a "triumph." Comments like this really do make everything worthwhile.
I publish Herald each month for four main reasons:
1/ To keep people informed about what is happening in Hethersett.
2/ To (hopefully) entertain
3/ To help me feel that I am making a reasonable contribution to the local community and
4/ To give an outlet to my love of writing.
I am hugely grateful to the increasing number of people contributing to the publication. In this edition we have some stunning photographs that I hope everyone will enjoy.
When I started the Herald I had no idea that it would take off as it has but it is a privilege to be able to bring news and features to you every month.
One of the reasons I delayed publication this month was to include two additional pieces that were only received yesterday. The first was information from South Norfolk about isolation and the virus and the other was news that work on the cyclepath between Hethersett and Wymondham has been suspended. At last we have found a way of getting some respite from those dreadful temporary traffic lights on the B1172. Unfortunately it has taken a pandemic to get them removed. It's a huge irony that the very people who wanted rid of the lights will probably be looking forward to them returning simply because that will be an indication that things are returning to normal (whatever that is).
With this isolation thing seemingly endless I can't help feeling that the best part of the year is likely to be stolen from us. We are used to people saying "that's two hours of my life I'll never get back" when they attend something they haven't enjoyed. I wonder if by the end of all of this we will be saying "that's four months of my life I'll never get back again."
I was listening to Radio Two this morning. I always enjoy the Michael Ball show. Today Richard Madeley was standing in as Mr Ball was in isolation. Madeley said that for him the worst thing about the current restrictions were not being able to see family and in particular his three grandchildren. I certainly echo those sentiments.
One of the things we have started in the Herald is a monthly look at petrol prices, comparing prices of garages within a five or six mile radius of Hethersett. At the time of making the comparison the cheapest around in that radius was about 114.7p a litre. When I checked a short while ago petrol at Earlham Fiveways was down to 102.9p. This would suggest that not much fuel is being bought. I suspect once the emergency is over the prices will soon climb back again.
One of the things I'm trying to point out with this service is the ridiculously high price of fuel at our three closest garages - Abbeygate and Waitrose in Wymondham and Thickthorn Services. We deserve better than being forced to pay top book prices for our petrol and diesel.