Feature: Looking back at 12 months under lockdown in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth

These remain unprecedented times but our reporters at the Courier and Weekly News have seen, heard and reported on much change in the way we live, the way businesses are operating and, sadly, the people who have suffered due to Covid-19.

We are looking back over the months since March 2020 and at the stories we published.

The launch of Covid-19 support groups was a prevalent feature of the early stages of the first lockdown.

Once people and communities got their heads around the situation many were quick to mobilise and take action to ensure the most vulnerable would be cared and provided for while people were being asked to stay their homes as much as possible.

While we clapped for the heroes of the NHS, volunteers were doing some great work in our towns and villages, delivering food and prescriptions to those in need.

The run of good weather from March meant taking our daily exercise and getting out into the garden for some much-needed fresh air was pleasant and there was very much a 'Dunkirk spirit' on display as people, such as the aforementioned support group members tried their hardest to make sure as many people as possible were safe and well.

But the toll Covid-19 was taking on us and the fear of the virus was also starting to show.

In April 2020 we reported on the death of former Whitnash mayor and stalwart councillor for the town Bernard Kirton.

At the time his daughter, Fiona, warned of how quickly coronavirus could strike.

Another to lose a loved one to Covid-19 in April was former Warwickshire policeman Simon Rogers.

Harold, Simon's father, died of the virus while Simon's mother Jean was also fighting it.

Both had been taken ill and were at Warwick Hospital.

Simon gave a harrowing account of how he was unable to visit Harold in his final hours and how he was later handed a bag of his father's belongings at the door of the ward.

Restrictions for funeral services at the time meant that Simon could only book a 30-minute slot for his father.

Thankfully, Jean survived but was unable to see any of her family during the nine days she was at the hospital.

The effect Coronavirus was having on industry and workers was highlighted in April when engineering firm Ricardo in Leamington vowed to remain open for businesses and, as a result, employees expressed concerns for both their safety and that of their families.

Employees at AGA Rangemaster in the town had expressed the same concerns for their safety in the month before.

And in November Shire Foods in Leamington temporarily stepped-down production levels after a number of Covid cases were confirmed among its workforce.

Our town centres have been much less busy in the last 12 months with 'non-essential' shops and businesses being closed for much of the time.

The Parade in Leamington has been pedestrianised since June last year when there were hopes of a 'bounce back' for the retail and leisure industry before strict lockdown measures and the tier system was brought in towards the end of 2020.

In the summer, we had been encouraged to help pubs and restaurants with the 'bounce back' through the 'Eat out to Help Out' scheme and we helped out by listing the participating venues in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth.

Businesses in the hair and beauty industry have been hit hard by the lockdown.

In November Claire Burns-Jackson, the owner of Pelo in Warwick Gates, said she felt as if she and others were being penalised over support during the Covid-19 pandemic because they are in a female-dominated industry.The leisure and tourism industry has also struggled.

We featured The Angel Hotel in Leamington when it re-opened with new Covid-safe measures for a short time from July.

And the team at Warwick Castle are looking ahead to the rest of 2021 after 12 months of changing restrictions, adapting work practices, and facing the challenges of running an attraction during a pandemic.

Charities have suffered from having to cancel some of their major fundraising events in the past 12 months but this has not stopped many of you from still showing your support for good causes.

With an emphasis on people getting out of their houses and exercising many took part in fundraising challenges for various challenges.

Darren Laffey, from Leamington, saw in the festive season and new year with his 5ks of Christmas fundraising challenge in which he ran five kilometres on every day of December dressed as Santa in support of the Alzheimer's Society.

There are still months of living under restrictions ahead for us but Boris Johnson has now announced a road-map for the country which hopefully, means the country and our towns and villages, will be out of lockdown once and for all.

Today (Tuesday March 23) a minute's silence and a national doorstep vigil will form part of a day of reflection to mark the anniversary of the UK's first Covid lockdown.

Warwick District Council chairman Cllr Martyn Ashford has reflected on the last 12 months for the area under lockdown.

For information, advice, support and guidance on Coronavirus in Warwick District, visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/coronavirus