Life in Lockdown

Ed: We feel Ralph's tone in the first paragraph is a bit harsh. Many of his deliveries have been to people in the "shielding" category or over 70s vulnerable – not just scared but following the government's guidelines to get the virus under control.

Life in Lockdown

I have for the past 70 days been helping at the Lord Combermere at lunchtime and in the evenings. Delivering freshly cooked meals from the kitchen . Boxes of the finest fruit and vegetables . Flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk etc. All to those folks who were isolated at home or simply scared of the threat of the virus. Some 800 plus have been delivered direct to the front doors .

We have covered as far away as Stapely, Drayton, Adderley, Burleydam and of course, Woore, Hankelow, Hatherton and our marvellous village.

In all this driving, I have seen gardens explode into blossom and made more lovely with the extremely fine weather we have had -- and are still enjoying.

One of the most striking of bushes is this superb Dogwood in the garden of delights owned by Eleanor and Colin Liles. It is called "China Girl" and is truly magnificent. You can see it as you drive between the village and Buerton. A real treat to see and to wonder at its quite simple beauty. I do recommend that you look for it see it as you drive by , and to marvel.

From a very contented volunteer,

Ralph Warburton