I MUST put fingers to keyboard to express thanks to our NHS.

On New Year’s Eve, my wife had her booked Covid immunisation. She reported a pleasant experience.

On New Year’s Day, most unexpectedly, I received a call to go to the North Petherton Rugby Club to receive an unscheduled jab.

On a very damp morning, I was received helpfully by a large team of wet but very cheerful parking attendants.

After a while I was directed to the main building, welcomed and checked in at the door; held in a short queue but again welcomed by a cheery volunteer; logged in by another; directed to a suitably cleansed chair by two more; injected by a friendly GP (actually known to me); shown to another (cleansed) chair to wait for the requisite 15 minutes and then shown out and cheerily bidden goodbye and then by some car park volunteers - the experience for all attending.

The atmosphere was very much that of a socially distanced village gathering.

There were many familiar faces carrying out jobs differing from their usual but all, without exception, were cheerful and friendly.

Words of thanks to each as they were passed were received with pleasure and an “it had to be done” response.

So – THANK YOU NHS.

There is such a thing as society, there is such a thing as community, and long may it remain so in this delightful part of Somerset.

COLIN CHALMERS
Goathurst