Today (Tuesday, 16 March) marks the first anniversary of the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the nation that the time had come to limit all unnecessary social contact - and also the day the first person in Essex died of Covid-19 at Broomfield Hospital.

A year on, in the midst of the third national lockdown and with a total of 149 Covid-related deaths registered for Maldon district alone (up to 5 March), many might pause to reflect on the past 12 months.

In recognition of the most difficult of years in so many ways, Richard Holmes, Director of Service Delivery at Maldon District Council, has issued the following statement - praising community volunteers, the resilience of businesses and thinking of the new hope offered by the vaccines and the 'roadmap' back to a more normal way of life.

Mr Holmes said: "As we mark 12 months of living with the pandemic, we reflect on and remember the loved ones who have died and those who have suffered with Covid-19.

"It has been a remarkable year in so many respects, not least of which was the way that volunteers came forward with our partners to support our community in a way in which we have not seen before. The unstinting support of the volunteers across the district has been very humbling to see.

"Staff at the council, like so many others, quickly adapted to working remotely to ensure services were delivered to the community and continue to do so.

"We have been particularly proud to support the delivery of the vaccinations from the council offices, and we pay tribute to the NHS partners who have led the delivery of this initiative, but we must remember to continue to keep each other safe even if we have received the vaccine.

"It goes without saying, it has been a very difficult time for the whole business community over the last 12 months, and the way in which they have had to adapt to the fast changing situation, has shown huge resilience.

"The roadmap has provided hope for the future, but we must continue to keep ourselves and each other safe in the months that follow."