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April 2021 April 2021
My owner reckons she is suffering from Lockdown NEWS FROM WESTMINSTER
inertia. She can’t be bothered to do anything. She Oh no!
read an article about this and it recommended one Not a bath ….. We are now well into spring, and I hope you have
should go for walks. We have been for a few walks. been enjoying the sunshine as much as I have. I
Another recommendation, was that one should stop know that the National Restrictions from January to
watching television. Well England’s performance in March have been difficult, particularly during the
the cricket over the last two tests was woeful At least cold winter months.
the last Tests finished in less than three days. “Pooch
Perfect” has finished, but I am worried, she has Early last month the Prime Minister announced the
bought some dog whitening shampoo from Healthy “roadmap” – the gradual re-opening of our country,
Pets. I hope she doesn’t intend to give me a bath including the easing of restrictions on travel and
and brush up. I’d rather she just watch television but businesses. As I write, our schools are re-opening to
not that dreadful drag race. all pupils, with regular testing for both those in school
and for people at home. Our local schools and teachers have adapted
On the subject of odd things, dressing up, I hear we brilliantly over the last year, changing to online teaching, as well as teaching
are to have an Easter Scarecrow competition maybe vulnerable children and keyworkers’ children in school. Testing centres have
we will do a drag one. been set up in our secondary schools, with staff, parents & volunteers all getting
She has been bought back off furlough and has gone involved. I want to say a big thank you to all those involved in education who
back to work at the Shell garage this week. She is on have made this return to school possible.
early shifts, which means I will not get my first walk until after nine in the morning. I As restrictions are eased, more and more businesses are able to re-start. Full
am left home alone. At least I can lie in. She tells me I mustn’t complain as she details of what can open when can be found online here https://www.gov.uk/
needs to pay my drugs bills at the vets. government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021 From the end of March
We have collected the Lawn mower from its service at OHE Garden Machinery. It you may now meet friends and family outside – up to 6 people at once or 2
was a bit of a struggle getting me and the Lawnmower in the back of the car. The families. This is to enable larger families to meet up. Outdoor sport and leisure
grass has been cut once. The weather has been sunny, windy, cold and foggy. In can restart, as can outdoor children’s activities. If infections continue to fall, in
other words, it is a typical March. mid-April, people may stay away from home in self-contained accommodation,
and more businesses like personal care and all shops may open. More indoor
I have had another letter from Honey the cat. She loved being featured in last facilities can open, like libraries and gyms, and hospitality may restart outdoors.
months Magazine. It is interesting her owner and mine are both suffering from This is positive news and a hugely welcome step forward, but of course all of this
lockdown inertia, this strange inability to get on and do anything. Vaccine talk i s depen den t upon
has stopped as most people, they know, have had their first dose. Her owner is infections continuing to fall,
also frustrated at the performance of the English cricket team and the rugby team so we must all continue to
in the six nations. Honey’s owner has also cut grass and started gardening. They social distance, wear masks
live near a school and Honey tells me they can hear the children playing happily when appropriate, and
nearby. They feed the birds in their garden. I think we should feed birds. I could wash our hands.
bark at them. They also have rooks starting to nest nearby so spring is on the way.
I also want to thank all those
Things will change soon, there is talk of the shop being sold and it may not be a i n v o l v e d i n t h e
Spar, and the Royal Oak may open in April under new Management. There are vaccinations. I recently
plans to reconfigure the layout at the garage so it will be closed for three months visited several of the GP-led
while they do the work. It is still a long time until middle of April, when we can vaccination centres, to see
meet up for coffee in the Car park of the Pub and eat outside with friends. The for myself the process and
good news is that infection rates are falling. British summer Time has arrived things Which Bere Regis to thank the staff and
can only get better. residents can you spot at volunteers. The centres are
Wareham hospital? progressing quickly through
Jenny Stone

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