This week we reflected on a year that has changed our lives in more ways than we ever could have expected when we first heard rumours of a new virus emerging in Wuhan, China.

On 23 March 2020 Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to our TV screens to announced the first lockdown with the rallying cry of "stay home, protect the NHS, save lives".

We asked our readers to recount what their last memories of 'normality' were before the PM uttered the now famous phrase.

Una Foy commented: "We went to Dublin at the beginning of March. The streets and pubs were extremely busy and everyone was having a good time! We had a brilliant time and it was hard to believe that the pandemic existed."

Gill Aldcroft said: "I went on a Yoga holistic therapy retreat in the middle of March."

Others remembered the mundane things that filled our lives like the daily commute, with Lisa Jordan saying: "Driving on the M6 twice a day. I haven't driven on it in a year having done so daily for 7 years."

Hilary Lewis noted her last pre-Covid day out: "Going to the cinema with my daughter, mum and mad, and having one of my daughter's friends over for a pottery session. Still don't know what happened to those last pots, life changed dramatically."

Seve Tydd said: "Being able to go to my mums house prior to it, but because of age and dementia she went into a care home for respite after a fall and we went into lockdown and hasn't been home since and there have been major restrictions on visiting her but she's in the safest place."

Sarah Jackson also recounted time spent with parents: "Lunch out with my mum just before lockdown in March 2020."

Maralyn Groves commented: "Being able to sell my goods at craft markets. Sold nothing for a year now."

As we emerge out of lockdown over the coming weeks and months, lets hope we can embrace family once again and make restore our town to the vibrant place we know and love.