Column by the leader of Stroud District Council, Doina Cornell.

I’m a naturally optimistic person but I sat down to write this with a heavy heart. I said last week that hope was on the horizon with the vaccinations, and there is no question the pandemic will eventually come to an end. But this January is going to be tough.

We’re all tired and fed up but we need to keep going as it does make a difference. We must stick to the rules to keep the pressure off our NHS and save lives. And there are always small things that can brighten the day.

Like everyone my horizon is now pretty much limited to a mile or so round my house for any essential trips or exercise, but I’m grateful for the hills around Cam and Dursley – there is always solace to be found in nature.

I had a rare trip out to Horsley Recycling Centre at the weekend and the groves of trees on the hills were white with hoar frost – quite beautiful.

Like many of you I’ve got children stuck at home, in their case studying for uni exams and I don’t know when they’ll be able to get back to uni and have any sort of normal young person’s life again. But I am also glad that I’ve had their company for a few months longer… !

One positive meeting I’m looking forward to this week is the good causes launch of our new Lucky Severn Community Lottery, to which local representatives of charities and community groups have been invited. I’m proud that the voluntary and charity sector in Stroud district is so active – working tirelessly throughout the pandemic, at a time when funding is harder than ever to come by. Around 80 councils across the country are now running local lotteries including Cheltenham and Gloucester councils. Tickets will cost £1 with 60p going towards local good causes.

A reminder how to access SDC services during lockdown: stroud.gov.uk/news-archive/how-to-get-help-and-access-council-services-during-lockdown