Through 2021 - July

Weather

The first week of the month saw temperatures largely in the mid-twenties with the words ‘sunny intervals appearing predominantly. Week two saw temperatures dropping to about and just below twenty with a mix of sunny intervals, cloud and some rain.  Week three saw summer arrive (!) with temperatures hitting mid to upper twenties and then low to mid-thirties! Sunny & hot were regular key words. Week four held these for two days but gradually dropped to around twenty for most of the remainder of the month. Sun gave way to cloud and then light rain or drizzle and even, later, heavy rain. This did not bode well for Summer school holidays!

Nature

As far as wildlife was concerned, this has without doubt been the busiest year, full of bird activity, squirrel activity etc. than I think we have even known. July is a month when everything comes into bloom but Spring plants are all dying back and so the garden has a slightly untidy look while at the same time looking more colourful. Fruit & Veg are in abundance.

General News

The Pandemic & Associated News

The ‘Pandemic News’ this month seems to have moved more away from handing out statistics to news about plans to remove the lockdown restrictions that happened in England on the 19th despite the fact that numbers (as expected) of infections were going up, plus reporting of problems that industry was having with supplies because of an over-reaction of the NHS app causing large numbers to isolate.

5th – In a televised address, the prime minister says he expects that the final lifting of restrictions will proceed from 19 July, but this will be confirmed on 12 July after a review of the latest data.

12th – The PM confirms that the fourth and final stage of the government's conditional lockdown easing will proceed as planned on 19 July.

14th – John Lewis and Waitrose announce that they plan to cut one thousand jobs.

16th – The daily infection count from the virus exceeds 50,000 for the first time since mid-January, with 51,870 new cases reported.

17th – Welsh lockdown rules ease further, allowing six people to meet in private homes and holiday accommodation, while organised indoor events can include 1,000 seated and up to 200 standing. Ice rinks are also allowed to reopen.

19th – Most remaining legal restrictions on social contact in England are removed.

19th – Restrictions are further relaxed in Scotland with changes including 15 people from different households being allowed to meet outdoors, 8 adults indoors and 10 at a pub or restaurant. Booking restrictions at catering facilities are also relaxed and soft play centres can reopen.

19th – The COVID-19 vaccine role out is expanded to many more under 18s in the UK. Based on scientific advice, the minimum age for vaccinating vulnerable adolescents or those who live with adults that are in a high risk group is reduced from 16 to 12. All young people will now also be eligible for their first dose three months before their 18th birthday. 

19th – Iceland and Greene King shut sites due to staff being force to isolate by the NHS COVID-19 app.

21st – Retail industry leaders warn of supermarkets being under increasing pressure to keep shelves fully stocked, due to thousands of shop workers having to self-isolate.

27th – The daily number of new infections falls for the seventh day in a row, roughly halving from the previous week to 23,511. However, 131 deaths are reported, the highest figure since March.

29th – Public  Health England reports that the UK's vaccination programme has prevented an estimated 60,000 deaths and 22,057,000 infections.

Other Misc. News

The other news had, somewhat understandably, a football bias and, less expectedly, and environment/weather aspect.

1st – Batley & Spen by-election: Labour holds the seat of with the new MP, Kim Leadbeater being the younger sister of the murdered MP Jo Cox who had previously held the seat.

3rd – UEFA Euro 2020: England beat Ukraine 4–0 in Rome to reach the semi-final of the Euros for the first time in 25 years.

5th– The House of Commons passes the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill by 365 votes to 265.

7th – UEFA Euro 2020: England defeat Denmark 2–1 after extra time at Wembley in the semi-final. This marks the first time England have reached the final of a major international tournament since 1966. Almost 24 million people are reported to have watched the match on ITV and ITV+1, with a peak of 25.7 million during the last five minutes.

8th – UEFA Euro 2020: UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) charges England following match incidents the previous night. In one, a laser pointer was allegedly shone in the face of Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as he prepared for a penalty. UEFA also notes a "disturbance" during Denmark's national anthem and fireworks being set off.

11th – UEFA Euro 2020: England lose 2–3 on penalties to Italy, following a 1–1 draw after extra time, in the final at Wembley. The game has an estimated peak TV audience of almost 31 million, making it the most-watched UK event since the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997.

12th – Unforeseen floods cause travel chaos in parts of London.

14th – The Health and Care Bill passes its second reading in the House of Commons.[247]

15th – Five people are arrested after England footballers were racially abused online following their Euro 2020 final defeat.

19th – The Met Office issues its first ever "Amber Extreme Heat Warning", as temperatures exceed 30°C across large swathes of the UK, with conditions expected to continue for several days.

19th – The FTSE 100 falls by 150 points, dropping below the 7000 mark and to its lowest level for several months, as part of a global sell-off.

25th – 2021 European floods: Torrential rain causes flooding in many parts of London. East London's Whipps Cross and Newham hospitals declare major incidents and tell patients to use other A&Es for urgent care, while ambulances are redirected.

29th – Climate change in the United Kingdom: according to the latest State of the UK Climate report published by the Met Office, 2020 was the third warmest, fifth wettest and eighth sunniest year on record. The lead author said this and the trend since 1990 shows climate change is already happening in the UK.

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