We start 2022 in an incomparably better place than New Year 2021.
While we have to continue to take Omicron enormously seriously to date, thanks to the enormous success of the vaccine programme and the hard work of the NHS in maintaining resilience, we been able to avoided a further lock-down and managed to maintain much of normal life through what is undoubtedly a serious increase in infection.
Nothing can be taken for granted but we will all hope that the proportionate steps we are taking combined with the boosters will help ensure schools remain open, our hospitals continue to be able to provide care and most aspects of life can continue almost as usual.
This puts us in a better position than last year.
Our economy is also looking up: unemployment, a source of huge worry at the end of furlough remains subdued as businesses are bouncing back from Covid. Following support given through the pandemic the U.K. is enjoying some of the fastest rates of economic growth in the G7 and across Europe.
One of the few positives of a difficult two years is the knowledge that we still have a real sense of community.
The recently published Rightmove “Happy at Home” survey of 21,000 people ranked Horsham in the Top 20 happiest places to live. The most important factor people looked for is a sense of belonging and the friendliness of other residents. Indeed throughout the pandemic Horsham has shown a great sense of community and volunteers have worked tirelessly not least in delivering over the last year vaccines to residents.
2021 saw the return of many community events which raise vital funds for charity. I was delighted that the Riverside Walk, the Horsham Swimarathon and Barns Green Run were able to resume, alongside many community based activities not least our rich pattern of local music events.
People are naturally being cautious in the immediate term as Omicron can be expected to continue to have a significant impact in the weeks ahead but as we look forward into 2022 I am already seeing from my diary how more events and get togethers are being planned for later this year.
Among them I have no doubt we will have many community events around Horsham on the Bank Holiday weekend of 2-5th June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: an extraordinary milestone of 70 years of service which I know many will want to celebrate. Let us hope it will also mark the final turning point in us getting beyond the scourge of Covid and into happier times.