Having re-read the April’s Dove (the Bruton monthly magazine), written at the end of February, I thought, like others, that it was written about a completely different period in history! Phrases and words which have now become every day vocabulary were rarely used; social distancing probably meant avoiding someone at a party, self isolating when one was feeling grumpy, unprecedented  my coffee mug has been used by someone else at work, PPE steel toe caps and goggles, masks were for highwaymen, graphs for mathematicians, homeschooling something a few parents chose to do. The strangest times.

Was it prophetic when I wrote  how Brutonians helped each other in the 70’s ‘big’ snow and the 1982 floods, and wondered whether that would be repeated with the present ‘them and us’ culture which I felt had developed over the last few years? However praise must be given to all those who have gone above and beyond to help others. Huge praise is quite rightly given to the NHS but I would like to also include our Town Council who very rapidly published a help line and support, the many people in Bruton who overnight became entrepreneurs, delivering cooked meals, and also developing a weekly delivery service to the town and beyond. Bruton didn’t run out of flour and loo paper until desperate outsiders swooped! They have worked tirelessly and cheerfully and should be applauded and thanked too. The people who have gone out of their way to help the less fortunate in so many ways, not because it was their job but because they are kind and selfless and that has shone through. We are extremely lucky to live in a lovely town with the most beautiful countryside all around us – it’s been a delight to see how many people have ventured out and explored, discovered the spring unfolding, the birds, flowers and trees. Hopefully they will continue.

Mill on the Brue, like so many others which cannot operate, is suffering. We have had to furlough many of our staff and at the moment have no customers. These should have been are busiest months with excited children and adults arriving in coach loads. Everything is very quiet, still, unnatural. Unfortunately we don’t know when we will be able to re-open but suspect we will be in the last category, as with every outdoor centre it would be practically impossible to social distance when teaching climbing or canoeing or many of the activities. But again, we as a business have received so many letters and emails of support, love and encouragement – it really has made a huge difference. See you on the other side!

Tricia Rawlingson Plant