Good evening,

 

In normal times, we would right now be in peak agricultural show time, celebrating all that is remarkable about Lancashire’s countryside producers, pursuits and sellers.

 

Instead, many of our most rural communities have been quietly proving their resilience, adapting and coping in a crisis which has seen massive pressures and changing demands and, of course, as farmer Phillip Berry points out to us today - the cows still need feeding and milking.

 

In many ways, they have been appreciated more than ever.

 

Many people have started to realise the importance of local supplies in a crisis and smaller rural  shops have proved a lifeline for residents - even needing additional stock as shoppers stayed away from the supermarkets during lockdown.

 

There has been a boom in diversification which many producers fully utilising online opportunities and teaming up to provide new services - testing the capabilities of rural broadband.

 

Quietly, our countryside has proved itself a powerhouse and we should be very proud.

 

Meanwhile, a quick congratulations to all those parents who have survived home-schooling during lockdown and are now welcoming the start of the summer holidays. Give yourselves a pat on the back.

 

And don't forget face covering are compulsory in shops from the 24th - time for us all to get organised.

 

Stay safe as always,

 

Nicola Adam

Deputy Editor