IT’S been a year since the country was first put into lockdown. 

Looking back over the last 12 months, the pandemic has introduced many changes and challenges to the lives of people in the town. While they are keen to keep some of them, there are others people will be glad to see the back of when normality finally returns. 

We asked Adver readers to share their thoughts on Facebook about what aspects of life in lockdown they would like to keep when all of this is over and here’s what they told us…

NIKI BARTOSZEWSKA: “Walking more, supporting local independent businesses, quality family time not rushing around.”

ALVIN MULLEN: “Very few aspects of my life changed with Covid, what changed was where I did things and who I did them with. 

“Most of the things I’ve always done haven’t changed. I’ve just done them more or less due to circumstances. The only real change was my increased interest in gardening, which I plan to keep doing.”

JAMES RAYNER: “Distancing will probably be in place for long time. 

“Although I’ve had my Pfizer jab three weeks ago, I'm not taking a chance.”

KATIE BREWER: “Walking. We use the reason to go to the shops as a walk out and exercise and we barely use the car at the weekend (albeit the weekly shop is delivered) that’s got to be better for us and the environment.”

PATRICK CONNOLLY: “I have actually not found lockdown much different than normal life. 

“I am not a big pub visitor so them being closed has not affected me. 

“I have three kids and no family nearby so we don’t have the option of night out, it’s nights in with a takeaway with the kids. Both myself and my wife are key workers so we have continued to work. 

“The only thing I have missed is not being able to travel back to Ireland to see family.”

PAUL MULFORD: “Nothing. Can’t wait to get shot of the mask, I prefer the busy streets.”

JULIE DIXON: “My family and good friends who are there through thick and thin. Need to get outdoors and walk again. 

"Missing the things we took for granted. Will still social distance.”

BECKY JAYNE: “None... it’s highlighted how important friends and family (and colleagues) are! 

“Hopefully common sense things like bookable tip slots and email repeat prescriptions will continue.”

BECKY TIDBURY: “Not to feel guilty taking the kids to expensive events that actually we don’t really need to do.”

CHARLOTTE-MAY REDMOND: “Staying at home, ignoring everyone and only leaving the house for essential reasons... this was how I enjoyed life before lockdown threw you all on my bandwagon.”

EMMA STEPHENS: “That I have spent precious time with my husband and kids. 

“Had a baby on December 2019 just before Christmas then Covid hit so we have spent quality time together which has been unimaginably difficult but also a very precious time.”

MELISSA BEAUMONT: “Nothing. I’m looking forward to the day we can get rid of all of this and start living again and not just surviving.”

ALESSANDRA BAGNATO: “I will definitely keep my mask when I go shopping.”

RACHEL SAINSBURY: “When anyone is poorly that they should wear a mask, it stops the spread of flu as well.”

SARAH HILL: “Working from home and family Sunday dinners.”

ANDREW WOOD: “Personal space. Social distancing when out in public has been wonderful.”

PETER MCSPARRON: “Local exercise – park and beach (until the tourists arrive).”

TASHA ANDERSON: “Long walks with my children.”

CHRISTOPHER CHARLTON: "I imagine more people will want to stay working at home so coffee shops and lunch trade will struggle more."

DANIEL ADAMS: "At work we had all our hand dryers replaced with hand towels. That's something we should keep. Hand dryers never actually dry your hands!"

JOSEPH THEOBALD: “Working from home makes Mondays easier to handle. I do want to get back to the office two-three days a week though for a bit of 3D social interaction.”