Memorable moments from County Durham’s coronavirus lockdown

For many, it has been a scary and uncertain time of social distancing and climbing coronavirus cases.

However, some people have tried to see the positives of lockdown and have made headlines for their contributions to their local community.  

Here is a look back at some of the most memorable County Durham news stories of the previous six months.

Dominic Cummings broke lockdown rules

Dominic Cummings travelled to Durham during lockdown (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Back in March, Boris Johnson’s senior advisor, Dominic Cummings, drove over 200 miles away to his parent’s house in Durham while the country was in lockdown.

Research by the University College of London found that the public’s trust in the Government fell after Cummings’ trip to Durham.

According to a Northern Echo poll of over 3100 people, 86% of readers believe Mr Cummings should have lost his job as a result of the scandal.

People from County Durham raised money

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.

Darlington girl, Lilly Israel, was inspired by Captain Tom Moore and decided to run a staggered half marathon in her street in order to raise money for the NHS- and she did some of her miles in fancy dress.

She managed to smash her £100 target and raised £1898 for NHS Charities Together

Her dad, Barry Israel spoke to The Northern Echo and said: “It was all her idea, after seeing what Captain Tom was doing she wanted to raise some money herself.

“We love it, we’re always trying to take pictures when she’s out and you can see in her face that she loves it. It’s great that she’s doing something for a good cause.”

Pubs reopened

(Credit: Google Maps)

Many pub-goers were dismayed when the government announced that pubs must close to control the coronavirus spread, at the end of March.

However, on the 4th of July pubs could open their doors once again- but there were stricter social distancing measures in place.

Many people in County Durham couldn’t wait to get back into the pubs and spoke to The Northern Echo about their experience.

Margaret Linley and Rosie O’Neil enjoyed their first pint at The Boot and Shoe, in Darlington.

Rosie said: “I’ve been coming to this pub since I was 18, I’m 72 now. It’s very different. Obviously there’s social distancing and everyone has to book tables.

"To get out you’ve got to go round the back. It’s a one way system.

"With the booking system it’s like, how long do we know we want to stay for. If you're having a good time you’ll want to stay longer."

We clapped for carers

Did you clap for carers at 8pm on Thursday during lockdown?

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.

People clapping outside Darlington Memorial Hospital (Photo: Sarah Caldecott)

People in the North East are no exception, as local residents, police officers and medical staff showed their support to frontline workers.

People even corrugated outside Darlington Memorial Hospital for the 8pm clap.

McDonald’s re-opened

Queues outside McDonald's in Abraham Retail Park (Photo: Sarah Caldecott)

During lockdown, people of the UK went for months without one of their favourite fast food treats.

However, at the start of July McDonald’s re-opened their doors once again leading to gridlocked queues and blocked roads.

Drive-thru restaurants in Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and West Auckland all re-opened with huge queues

In Abraham Retail Park, cars were seen queuing in the extended drive-thru for their McDonald’s.

What are your most memorable moments from lockdown? Let us know in the comments.