Although everyone was pleased to see the end of 2020, many were nursing the huge disappointment of not seeing loved ones for Christmas. The five days of movement allowing up to three households to mix and celebrate Christmas together suddenly changed with almost no notice to just Christmas day its self. This made it impossible for those living a distance away and so once again zoom had to be a substitute.

Some fireworks celebrated the arrival of 2021 but nothing like the glorious displays that we have come to enjoy locally and around the world on television. The Lockdown continues with no sign of lifting. The new year has seen the welcome roll out of both the Pfizer-BioTech  and Astra Zeneca (Oxford)  Covid vaccine, starting with vaccinating the over 80’s and front line care workers and hospital staff.  However the numbers catching the virus and the many deaths continue to rise together with the emergence of another highly contagious new variant.

The days are beginning to lengthen and primroses are in flower in our gardens and hedgerows. Snowdrops too are beginning to emerge and even the odd daffodil where its sheltered! The weather though continues to be a challenge with snow, flooding and Storm Christophe causing great stress, damage and misery to many. 

As well as longer days another positive is looking at the seed catalogues and choosing from the many varieties for the vegetable plot and garden boarders. There is pleasure and excitement as the parcels begin to arrive and the realisation that Spring  will finally come.    

The Frogmoor artists continue to work from home and share on line. The pleasure  

of being able to work together once more remains a hope for future months.