It’s good to be back

The last time you had a Gazette in your hands was at the start of March, just after the island’s biggest calima for years and Puerto del Carmen’s carnival parade. Easter was on the way, rain had painted the island with a bit of green, you could already smell summer in the air and things were looking good…

*Record scratch sound-effect*

…and then, suddenly, all of us were pitched into a strange, unreal dream of deserted streets, cars blasting out megaphone messages, panic buying queues, rainbow posters, balcony clapping, video calls, and a horrific, spiralling daily death count. Jobs, holidays, plans, futures, and, worst of all, contact with loved ones, were all whipped away from under us.

Now, over three months later, we’ve entered what is called the new normal. There may not seem much normal about a world where they won’t let you into the bank without a face mask, or where small children are expected to stay two metres apart, but we’re going to have to work this out as we go along.

What really is a sign of normality is the magazine you’re holding in your hands right now. We spent much of lockdown reinforcing our online presence and using what we’ve got to support those of you who needed support and presence; we spent the exit from lockdown telling you how our advertisers and the rest of the island was bouncing back, and that service is going to continue. But we know that for hundreds of you, “normal” means a new Gazette at the start of the month.

So here it is – a little slimmer than usual for obvious reasons – but a tangible sign we’re ready to get right behind you as we face the future together. If you want to tell us your news, your information, your stories – anything- please get in touch. It’s so good to be back.

Enjoy the magazine, Shaun.