Strong community spirit in South Holland hailed as positive aspect of pandemic and a year of lockdowns

The strong community spirit shown in south Lincolnshire has been hailed as a positive aspect to come from a year marked by lockdowns.

South Holland and The Deepings MP Sir John Hayes paid tribute to the community groups that have sprung up in the last year to help those in need – as well as existing volunteer bodies and church groups who have rolled their sleeves up to help others in a variety of ways.

He said: “It has inspired people to all kinds of good work. Even in times of greatest challenge and adversity, the community spirit has come through.

“It is important for all of our wellbeing. We gain by giving just as much as we gain by receiving.”

He said a similar spirit had been in evidence at vaccination sites, where volunteer groups have helped medical teams to run their operation.

Sir John added: “There’s been a sense of British spirit that has kicked in. There’s something particularly British actually about the way people have mucked in. From Captain Tom down we have all done our bit.

“There’s something re-assuring about what our country can do.”

South Holland District Council leader Gary Porter also hailed the efforts of key workers across the district during the last year.

He said: “The people who have had to go to work – the dust men, the food workers etc – they have done a sterling job. They have put the wider community before their individual lives.”

Both agreed that it will now be important to try to bottle the positive things to come from the last year and find ways in which newly-established groups can continue their good work.

Coun Porter said: “We need to look at the solidarity and the kindness and think ‘how do we maintain that, how do we foster that?’”