A Happy Return to training for Leighton Buzzard's young athletes

With society tentatively opening up in line with the Government’s roadmap out of the pandemic, the Leighton Buzzard Observer wants to be with our readers every step of the way.

We want to hear your positive stories about how you/your family, your business, your club/society or maybe your sports team is re-emerging from the restrictions which have made the past year so challenging. See details at the end of this article for more details on getting involved and here...

Here Leighton Buzzard Athletics Club Juniors tells its story after returning to training on March 30...

“We have not done any competitive activity since last March and our athletes have missed a whole season for track and field and cross country.

“Although we had some training last summer and a small period before Christmas, this time everyone in the club feels we can see a very clear way forward and pathway to returning to full training and competition.

“The athletes have missed the social aspect as much as they have the sport side. We have such a great squad ethos of being friendly and supportive and it was great to see the athletes welcome each other back.

“Although we have held virtual training sessions and mini Olympics events, it was not the same as being together. Parents were also keen that the athletes let off steam after being restricted so much.

“As coaches we don’t just care about the sport but also the athletes’ welfare and welcomed at the first opportunity the chance to train again and thankfully Vandyke School allowed us to return as soon as allowed. We have lost some athletes who have not come back from the break but we are actively recruiting again.”

Anyone interested in joining can email [email protected]> Why not get involved in the Leighton Buzzard Observer’s Happy Returns feature? We’d be delighted to hear details of how businesses and the community are emerging from the restrictions of the pandemic.

It might be news of a business relaunching, your youth sports team resuming its matches, how your school is coping with the ongoing challenges, how your club or society is ditching Zoom and is looking to meet face-to-face again, a family reunion or celebration which can finally go ahead, or the many other examples of events and activities we all took for granted slowly returning.

This is a great chance to tell your story over the coming weeks and months ahead. Submit 100-300 words to this newspaper on how the pandemic has had an impact, how you’ve kept going and most importantly news of your ‘Happy Return’ when it’s deemed safe.

We’d also love to receive photos of those joyful reunions/reopenings. Please send all details to [email protected]Here’s a handy reminder of the remaining roadmap steps.

> From April 12, non-essential retail, hairdressers and public buildings can open. Also outdoor settings like alcohol takeaways, beer gardens, zoos and theme parks can welcome visitors. Indoor leisure like swimming pools and gyms can open. Funerals can continue with up to 30 people, and weddings up to 15 guests.

> From May 17, ‘rule of six’ abolished for outdoor gatherings and replaced with a limit of 30 people. Two households can mix indoors - with the rule of six applied in hospitality settings like pubs. Cinemas, hotels, performances and sporting events can reopen. Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions, funerals and wakes.

> From June 21, all legal limits on social contact is intended to be removed, with the final closed sectors of the economy reopened.