JUST 10 months ago, life as we knew it changed after the UK went into the first coronavirus lockdown.
Now, we all have a face mask at hand and it feel like a lifetime ago since we could head to the shops without a bottle of hand sanitiser at the ready.
While the pandemic is far from over, vaccines are being rolled out and health secretary, Matt Hancock, said there is “light at the end of the tunnel”.
To give yourself a break from the doom and gloom and also keep your spirits up, here are 8 things that locals can look forward to when lockdown finally ends:
Having a few pints at the pub
After some challenging weeks stuck in the house and home schooling the kids, I bet a lot of people are missing the pub right now.
However, the day will come when pubs can once again open and you can enjoy a few drinks with friends.
You could even embark on a pub crawl without needing to book in advance.
Perhaps you have been missing the plush outdoor area at The Royal Oak in Eccleshill or maybe you are craving a cocktail and pizza from The Turls Green in Centenary Square.
Which local pub do you miss the most?
Days out with the kids
By now, it’s likely that your kids are clawing at the walls, desperate to have a day out.
When restrictions ease, you will never complain about a day out at Megaplay again.
Instead of taking them to the local park, you could take the kids somewhere a bit different in Bradford this year.
Have you ever been to the Doe Water Activities Centre? If not, it would make for a memorable and unique day out.
(Facebook/ @DoeParkWaterActivitiesCentre )
Here, you can try your hand at archery and kayaking.
While it may not be in Bradford, Ponderosa Zoo is just a 30 minute drive from Bradford in Heckmondwike.
Surprisingly, not many people know about it but it’s a fantastic little day trip destination to embark on after lockdown; lemurs, fruit bats and meerkats are just some animals you can see there.
A blast from the 1940s
Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the popular 1940s weekend in Haworth.
Sadly, the event didn’t go ahead and the streets were left empty on the anniversary.
However, the organisers of the event hope to bring it back with a bang this year and it is currently scheduled to take place on 15-16 May.
Head to the theatre
(Photo: Geograph/ David Dixon)
When lockdown is over, we can all once again enjoy a show at a theatre or live performance.
The Alhambra Theatre was forced to cancel all shows last year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, 2021 is looking a lot brighter as many more shows have been scheduled for 2021 including Grease the Musical (3 March-3 April), comedy from Dave Spikey (29 April) and even Jimmy Carr (26 May).
The pantomime is also set to return this Christmas with a production of Sleeping Beauty (11 December- 16 January).
A stress-free holiday
The travel rules since the pandemic have been ever changing and evolving, making many apprehensive about travelling abroad even when they were allowed to.
Matt Hancock has also advised Brits against travelling abroad this year and plan to have a “great British summer” instead.
Many of us can’t wait to jet off on a plane- but we can still dream and start planning the next big holiday.
Until then, there are plenty of fantastic weekend getaway locations right on your doorstep.
Clarion Lodge Campsite & Wigwams is just down the road in Ilkley.
(Facebook/ Clarion Lodge Campsite & Wigwams)
They have recently been awarded the Corporatelivewire award for Campsite of the Year for Leeds & West Yorkshire.
Best of all, you can visit the Ilkley Moors during your weekend break.
Going to a festival
The coronavirus brought an end to festivals- even local ones.
Bradford Festival was cancelled in 2020 which was a devastating blow to those looking forward to the bank holiday festivities.
(Facebook/Bradford Festival)
However, organisers posted this statement to their Facebook page last week:“Great news - the #BradfordFestival will take place over the August Bank Holiday this year. Mark 29-31 August in your diary!”
Hopefully, the event can go ahead safely later this year.
Christmas traditions
Christmas was a very different affair for everyone in 2020.
If the kids got to see Santa at all, it was likely from behind a Perspex screen or via a video call.
The highly anticipated Bolton Abbey Father Christmas Experience was also cancelled.
While the Christmas lights were up and sparkling around Bradford- Christmas just wasn’t the same without the regular crowds after the big switch on.
When lockdown restrictions ease we can resume our regual Christmas traditions- and hopefully have a ‘normal’ Christmas once again.
Getting to see your loved ones
I’m sure many will agree that the hardest thing about lockdown is not being able to spend time with our loved ones.
Videos calls simply aren’t enough and many are desperate to go shopping in the town centre or even just walk around Peel Park without fear of passing the virus on to them.
When lockdown is over and the pandemic is just a moment in history, we can hug our family members a little tighter to make up for the months we went without them.
What are you most looking forward to when lockdown ends? Let us know in the comments.
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