Even with masks and late notice on the lateral flow test requirements it was good to see schools go back this week. But disappointing for me when Parliament returned not to be able to get in to the PM’s statement updating the House on omicron and the measures being taken to try to tackle it. I had wanted to ask a question about lateral flow test availability, especially for domiciliary care workers, however as the Women and Equalities Select Committee overlapped with the statement I had to make do with a written question to the Department for Health and Social Care instead.
I was delighted this week to get an invitation to the Nomads’ Pantomime at Woodley Village Hall. It does feel as if we are learning to live with covid and that many of the events we have missed over the last couple of years are coming back to life. It is always a fantastic evening’s entertainment and tickets are now on sale for Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood at Woodley Village Hall at the end of February.
Returning to Westminster this week I was delighted to see the restored Elizabeth Tower emerging from the scaffolding and the clock face visible once more. The sunshine on Wednesday morning helped, with the tower really glistening in the frosty morning. It is not always popular to say so, but Parliament is such an important historical building that essential works do have to be carried out to it. It was very evident what a draw it is to visitors to London with the number photographing it from Westminster Bridge, and I do hope 2022 can bring some final decisions about the restoration programme that is now so long overdue.
