Hello everyone and welcome. While none of us want to tempt fate, and anticipating that the mutated variants will only have a limited, controllable, effect, most of the news regarding the fight against Covid remains encouraging.
I am therefore pleased to report that the committee is making plans for the summer and the remainder of our 2021/22 year. With the recent relaxation of the rules about meeting in small groups of six indoors and up to 30 outdoors some of our groups have started meeting in person. Members are already walking, cycling and playing Pickleball and the ukulele, all being very careful to keep to current rules and regulations. We always make sure we keep up to date with those.
Coming soon: The reading group is starting up again, in a garden if the weather is nice, and the lunch group is hoping to start up in June. There could soon other activities going on indoors too, if any group does start to meet then please let Siobhan know and tell everyone what you are doing.
Technology has enabled us to do far more indoors during lockdown, many of us have kept in touch using technology, others haven’t wanted to or have been unable to, and some of us have welcomed it, reluctantly at first maybe, but it has enabled some meetings and group activities to continue. Like many organisations, we’re likely to continue with a mix of online and face to face activities. First thoughts are now that it is possible to have informal get-togethers of mini groups of 6 indoors (and as the weather improves) 30 outdoors then interest groups can consider meeting in this way.
We are approaching a time when the government are liable to further relax regulations regarding the use of Halls, Homes, Libraries, Bowling venues and outdoor activities. Wherever our groups are meeting the paramount concern must be the safety of all members from Covid 19. When we consider returning to use our venues it is still important to ensure that we all continue to follow whatever government guidelines are relevant at that time, e.g. numbers, hand washing, hand gel and social spacing.
Finally a thank you from the committee to those members who have offered help and suggestions relating to storing equipment and alternative venues to the leisure centre for the monthly meeting. Especially thanks to: Christine Eagle, Margaret Cook, Jean Cragg, Christine Ashby and Susan Foss
David Rose