Archive: this round-up reports news and announcements from June 2020. Advice, services and offers may have changed.

Here’s our weekly compendium of positive news stories to cheer us up and lift the spirits 💪

We also want to flag up all the positive ways that our readers are finding to deal with the crisis, from good deeds to witty photographs. Please email info@explorebuxton.co.uk with any contributions.

1. AstraZeneca prepares to manufacture a possible COVID-19 vaccine

In June 2020, AstraZeneca planned to begin making doses while trials were under way. The Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine was authorised by the UK medicines regulator on 30 December 2020.

2. A hospital worker reunites with her daughters

In 2020, Suzie Vaughan, an operating department practitioner at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, was reunited with her daughters Bella and Hettie after nine weeks apart during the COVID-19 response. The hospital shared a video of the reunion.

3. Spiny seahorses spotted at Studland Bay

On 22 May 2020, the Seahorse Trust reported at least 16 seahorses in the Studland Bay Marine Conservation Zone in Dorset. A Marine Management Organisation assessment said sightings there had been scarce in the preceding years. Reduced boat activity during lockdown was suggested as one possible factor, alongside other factors such as weather; the report did not establish a single cause.

4. China restricts the consumption of wildlife

In February 2020, China adopted restrictions on the consumption and trade of terrestrial wildlife for food. The national decision did not prohibit consumption of aquatic wild animals or listed domestic livestock and poultry. Wuhan introduced further local restrictions in May 2020.

5. Dentists in England could reopen from 8 June 2020

Dental practices in England were allowed to reopen from 8 June 2020, although not every practice was ready to reopen immediately.

6. Chester Zoo’s fundraising campaign

Chester Zoo launched its Save Our Zoo campaign during the first lockdown, as closures put pressure on zoos. Its 2020 accounts record £3.3 million raised by the campaign. In England, zoos were allowed to reopen outdoor areas from 15 June 2020, while indoor attractions remained closed at that stage.

7. Face coverings on public transport

In June 2020, the government announced that face coverings would become mandatory on public transport in England from 15 June. At the time, Hello! magazine shared a selection of designs.

8. Premier League football restarts

After a 100-day break, Premier League football returned on 17 June 2020. Aston Villa drew 0–0 with Sheffield United, and Manchester City beat Arsenal 3–0.

9. Alton Towers reopens

In June 2020, Alton Towers planned to reopen on 4 July with new hygiene and distancing measures. Theme parks in England were permitted to reopen from that date, and Alton Towers reopened on 4 July.

10. National Trust gardens and parks reopen

In June 2020, the National Trust began reopening selected gardens and parklands in England and Northern Ireland, with advance booking required at that time. Its current booking information explains which places still require a reservation.

11. Wimbledon’s kitchen prepares meals for the community

At the end of May 2020, the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s Wingfield Kitchen began preparing 200 meals a day for people in Merton and Wandsworth, distributed by City Harvest. The project was initially planned for three months; the Wimbledon Foundation later reported that it continued until June 2021 and produced more than 30,000 meals.