We have now entered a third National Lockdown, which looks to last until at least mid-February, and quite possibly beyond.

The new Covid-19 variant is much more infectious, with one in three infected showing no symptoms, and its prevalence has risen considerably with 1 in 50 currently infected in the East Midlands, and is expected to rise more.

Although under the government rules for this lockdown, in-church in-person common worship is allowed, the church wardens and I believe, following a local risk assessment, that in the light of the new risks posed by the new Covid-19 variant it is unwise to do so.

This means that the worship and study groups offered across the benefice, at least until mid-February, will be online only.

For legal reasons this suspension of services requires a formal process and the approval of the bishop, which we are putting in place.

We are actively looking at adding other local online provision -- watch this space!