Lord Lieutenant thanks people in Swindon for their resilience during lockdown

Dear friends,

The country continues to battle the Coronavirus pandemic. As HM The Queen's representative in Wiltshire and on behalf of the Lieutenancy, I would like to offer an interim note of appreciation to everyone, the young or not so young in every corner of Wiltshire, on the frontline or not, for their forbearance and resilience.

Living under the lockdown is proving to be a tough challenge indeed with very real frustrations and difficulties both at work and at home, and as the rhythm of our lives has been dramatically altered it is worrying being unable to predict how the future will pan out.  But pan out it will, and in the meantime examples of Wiltshire's community and charitable spirit have been extraordinary and uplifting to witness.

The government, national and local, the NHS in all its forms and those working in health and social care roles are facing many challenges daily. Both Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council alongside the military, our MPs and the many agencies that make up the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) are working incredibly hard looking after their residents in a multitude of ways: financially, emotionally and practically.

Our religious leaders are leading us spiritually; the police, fire and ambulance services are keeping us on the straight and narrow, with a touch of blue- lighted humour when necessary, and all those involved in our wellbeing are determined to make our lives as easy as possible. There have been some hard stories and some tragic ones but also ones of great goodness and generosity in the community at large. We salute you all.

Of course, first and foremost our hearts go out to those who have been affected by this vicious virus and we pray for those families who have so sadly lost loved ones. There is real hope it will be beaten, and we will be able to return to a version of life as we knew it. Along with everyone I look forward to catching up with family, friends and colleagues, let alone a trip to the hair salon, as soon as possible.

Thank you, Wiltshire, for staying at home, for continuing to work and deliver critical services where you can, and for the fantastic ways our communities have brought us all together.

With best wishes

Sarah Troughton

Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire