DOOM laden prognostications about the pubs reopening on a Saturday proved to be unfounded. An estimated fifteen million pints were consumed on so-called “Super Saturday” but mayhem failed to ensue. I could almost detect a hint of disappointment in the voice of a paramedic interviewed who ruefully suggested it had been quite a quiet night. Mind you John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation and one of Hampshire’s finest, was widely quoted when he expressed the blindingly obvious view that, “Drunk people are simply unable to socially distance.” That’s particularly true when they throw their arms around you and slur, “You’re my bestest friend, you are.”

Super Saturday? So-called? So-called by whom? I heard one news bulletin breathlessly aver, “People are calling it Super Saturday.” Usual media nonsense. No one was calling it that until someone in a newsroom made it up.

Zoom continues to be the software of choice for trans-internet communications. We are using it extensively in our business and with air travel far from ideal I suspect it will remain thus for some time. The government finally came up with a list of seventy plus countries where you can now travel without invalidating your travel insurance. We had booked a family trip to Spain and sent our deposit way before the lockdown. Thankfully, it looks like we can go – so much relief. Apparently, the hold-up in releasing the approved list was due to wrangling with the governments of Wales and Scotland. Am I the only one who has the impression that Scotland First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon comes across as being more meddlesome than helpful? I know there’s a Scottish election in May 2021 but surely, it’s a bit early for what appears to be electioneering? I suppose they can’t help themselves.

Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, struck a rather more cohesive note in a joint statement with Sir Simon Stevens, NHS chief executive, as we celebrated the seventy second anniversary of the health service last Sunday. Despite distancing, Covid has brought us more together and highlighted the need for us to think more about unity rather than division.

This was echoed by our own Lord Lieutenant, Nigel Atkinson, as he looked forward to Hampshire Day next Wednesday. He will be raising the Hampshire flag outside the Great Hall in Winchester. A piece of symbolism, yes, but a reminder too that without community whether at village, town or county level our lives are much less enriched, but that enrichment is down to the individual actions of all of us. We cannot yet hug or shake hands and it’ll come as no surprise to you that, given my background, I have found it relatively easy to adopt the two handed “namaste” or single handed “salaam.” They are fine gestures of respect and I commend them to you. For respect is at the heart of community and we’ve all learnt to be more respectful, particularly of those doing vital jobs.

Finally, a salute to Matt Clarke, the landlord of the Yew Tree at Wield near Alresford. Here are two points from the ten point list of instructions emailed to customers in advance of reopening: “If you are sitting at one of our tables and need anything raise a hand or shout “Oi”. One of us will come over to you. Hand signals, smoke signals and flares are also allowed.

“Contact details will be required. I know Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy personally, so anyone impersonating them will have to sit with mouse ears, a long beak or buck teeth for the duration of the visit.”