It’s been almost six months since the start of coronavirus lockdown- and a lot has happened in these previous months.

It’s a period of time that the majority of the UK are unlikely to forget and many happy memories have surfaced from the scary and tragic.

People in East Lancashire have lived through the worrying toilet paper shortages and the more uplifiting thursday night Clap for Carers.

Let’s take a look back at some of the most notable East Lancashire headlines of the previous months- how many do you remember?

We clapped for the NHS carers

(Facebook/@themall.blackburn)

Did you clap for carers at 8pm on Thursdays?

This heart-warming event took place in March and people across the UK clapped on their doorsteps and gardens as a symbol of their support to care staff and NHS frontline workers.

East Lancashire residents were no exception and they took to the streets to show their appreciation.

Staff at Blackburn shopping mall even took part, posting a video of them clapping and praising NHS staff to their social media.

Kirst Casey spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph and described the clap for carers as an “amazing experience”.

McDonald’s re-opened

Lancashire Telegraph: Gridlocked cars on a McDonald's roundabout in Ewood Gridlocked cars on a McDonald's roundabout in Ewood

During lockdown, many of us were deprived of our fast food treats after the restaurants were forced to close their doors.

Re-opening day in June couldn’t come soon enough for many East Lancashire residents- pictures showed a gridlocked McDonald’s in Ewood.

One man in the areas spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph and said it was “almost impossible” to access any other stores in the area, thanks to the McDonald’s queue.

Brits could return to the pubs

(Credit: Google Maps)

Many pub goers were elated when the government announced that pubs could re-open on 4th July.

It was a trying time for pub owners, as strict social distancing measures were in place in order for the pubs to successfully remain open.

One Blackburn pub was even shortlisted for the Great British Pub Awards Pub Heroes 2020- a national competition which celebrates heroes of the pub world.

The Clifton Arms made it to the final seven of the competition and were recognised for their kindness during the pandemic.

The team gave vulnerable people food during the pandemic and they also raised hundreds for the NHS and carers who were working during the pandemic.

People from East Lancashire raised money for the NHS

Who can forget when war veteran, 99-year-old Tom Moore raised over £32 million for the NHS by walking 100 laps around his garden?

He wasn’t the only Brit with good intentions- many people across the UK decided to follow in his footsteps and begin their own fundraiser.

East Lancashire residents were no exception and they were using lockdown to raise money for a charitable cause.

Reece Taylor, a 29-year-old with cerebral palsy, challenged himself to do a sponsored stand in order to raise money for the NHS.

The Rawtenstall man managed to raise over £2000 for the NHS, by standing for half an hour everyday despite his limited mobility.  

We ran out of toilet paper

At the start of lockdown, people in the UK began stockpiling supplies- items such as pasta and toilet paper were incredibly hard to get hold of.

Empty shelves were a common sight and many supermarkets imposed a limit on how many items could be purchased.

While it was a stressful and frightening time for many, a group of young farmers from East Lancashire tried to bring some humour to the situation.
Lancashire Telegraph: A snapshot of the Pendle Young Farmers videoA snapshot of the Pendle Young Farmers video

Members of Pendle Young Farmers made a hilarious video dubbed the ‘Toilet Roll Challenge’.

Katy Hargreaves, secretary of Pendle Young Farmers said: “We created this video to thank all the farmers for their hard work at this time.

"We also want to remind walkers to stay safe, and remember that every gate they touch a farmer has to touch too.”

You can view the video on their Facebook page.

Parents turned into teachers

Lancashire Telegraph: Joe Wicks (Matt Crossick/PA)Joe Wicks (Matt Crossick/PA)

Parents across the UK had to brush up on their maths, literacy and science knowledge in order to homeschool their children during lockdown.

Thankfully, PE lessons were covered by fitness and nutrition expert, Joe Wicks.

East Lancashire children and parents all took part in the lessons.

Claire Stewart from Accrington said: “[My daughter] is loving it, she’s done it every day this week and now we all join in.

“Joe’s lessons are really good for them because it keeps them and us fit.”