Wetherby praised for ‘pulling together’

They said that although there had been a positive response from the community, many had felt robbed.

In a statement to the Wetherby News Councillors Norma Harrington, Alan Lamb and Linda Richards said: “May we offer our deepest condolences to anyone who has lost a loved one over the last year or so during this terrible pandemic.

“Covid has robbed so many people of the opportunity to properly say goodbye and grieve in the way that they might want to.”

But they added that there had been many positives right from the start of the crisis and through three lockdowns to the present time.

“It has been a hard year for everybody, individuals, families and businesses in so many ways and we realise that each experience is unique.

“We have been really impressed and humbled by the way the community has pulled together right the way through from the early days of the first lockdown to now in the vaccination stage.

“There have been volunteers from all walks of life and across the whole ward with all agencies working in partnership to ensure no-one was left behind.

“The speed of response was truly humbling and something we should all be proud of.

“And now with vaccinations well underway, perhaps this is a time to tentatively look forward to when we can get some kind of normality back in our lives and society, while at the same time taking a moment to remember absent family and friends.”

But they urged that the pandemic was not over yet and everyone has their part to play.

“Finally, when it does become your turn for the vaccine please don’t hesitate, but in the meantime remember ‘Hands, Face, Space’ and we will all get through this. Together.”

Following recent public concern about Coronavirus figures in Wetherby Ward, the councillors assured people that the situation was being monitored.

“While the overall case rate is high and understandably causing concern, we have done research into the figures and can confirm that there are currently 152 cases of Coronavirus in our area, of which 137 are prison related.

“Public Health England and NHS Leeds are monitoring the situation closely and all advice offered has been implemented by the Prison.”

Cases at Wealstun Prison, in Thorp Arch recently spiked, causing alarm in the area.