Editor

For years now village shops have been closing due to lack of support. Over these last difficult weeks, those that remain have proved their true value in the community.

In Llanfarian, for example, the young proprietor has, single handily: set up a workable distancing system, collected supplies no longer delivered to the shop, proactively sourced additional, requested items and even provided a delivery service for vulnerable residents.

When this crisis recedes and lockdown restrictions are eased, we will all need to take stock and decide what really matters.

Most people, I’m sure, will be prepared to pay a little additional tax to ensure that, in the future, NHS, care and key workers are properly rewarded with a decent salary scale which recognises the importance of their jobs.

In the same way, those of us who have depended on a local shop to get us through this emergency, should be willing to continue with our custom. Just a regular £5 to £10 a week above what we used to spend could be enough to keep a struggling village store going.

It might, then, still be there when the next crisis occurs.

A grateful customer Name and address supplied

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page