Through August 2021
Weather
A month of a complete mix of sunshine, sunny interval, cloud and rain. Not exactly an English Summer – although perhaps that was exactly what it was. Starting with temperatures about twenty the first week averaged just below mid-
Nature
The life and the energy of the garden seems to have run down, perhaps matching the weather. Still plenty of produce and plenty of bird life. Although we’ve had ran it has been only sporadic or occasional and growth only achieved by watering. Lack of sun has meant limited veg growth.
General News
The Pandemic & Associated News
The Pandemic focus is largely on vaccinations and new vaccines.
4th – The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommends that all 16 and 17-
7th – With some exceptions, such as compulsory mask wearing in certain settings, most remaining pandemic related restrictions conclude in Wales.
9th – The bulk of pandemic related restrictions are removed in Scotland. Rules that remain include compulsory mask wearing in some locations and restrictions surrounding the administration of schools in the early part of the new academic year.
9th – The government reports that 75% of UK adults have now received both vaccine doses.
17th – The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency approves Moderna's COVID-
19th – Health Secretary Sajid Javid announces a vaccine booster scheme, with adults over 50 likely to be offered a third dose, beginning in September with the most vulnerable groups.
20th – Ronapreve, a monoclonal antibody treatment to prevent and treat COVID-
23rd – The government agrees a contract for 35 million more doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, to be administered in 2022.
Misc. News
The second half of the month sees the focus turning to Afghanistan, and the planned withdrawal of western troops. By the end of the month all British troops have withdrawn.
9th – The UK imposes a new package of trade, financial and aviation sanctions on Belarus, in response to continued human rights violations and the undermining of democracy by the Lukashenko regime.
12th – Six people, including the suspected gunman, are killed in a shooting in Plymouth. It is the first fatal mass shooting in the UK since 2010.
13th – The PM chairs a COBRA meeting to discuss the Taliban offensive in Afghanistan.
17th – The Office for National Statistics reports that UK job vacancies reached a record high of 953,000 in the three months to July, while average pay rose 7.4 percent.
18th – Parliament is recalled from its summer recess to discuss the situation in Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. The government announces a citizens' resettlement scheme for 5,000 Afghan nationals who are at risk due to the current crisis, which could be expanded to 20,000 in the longer term.
20th – The SNP and Scottish Greens announce a new power sharing arrangement, which includes a commitment to hold a referendum on Scottish independence after the Covid pandemic has passed and within the next five years.
27th – The last evacuation flight for British nationals and Afghans who are eligible for resettlement in the UK leaves Hamid Karzai International Airport. The UK government later confirms that all British soldiers, diplomats and other officials have been removed from Afghanistan by the following day.
31st – BBC journalist Sarah Rainsford returns to the UK after being permanently expelled from Russia for "the protection of the security of Russia".