LUKE MARSDEN: New reasons to be Lancastrian

Since being a kid I’ve put Lancashire, because in my eyes and the eyes of many Wiganers, that’s where we are. We celebrate Lancashire Day on November 27 (pictured). We are part of the fabric of the county.

But over the past week I’ve had to remind countless people on and offline that since 1974 we, regrettably and technically, have not been part of Lancashire but a borogh of Greater Manchester.

Prior to last week’s regional lockdown, putting GM instead of Lancs on addresses was the only nuisance. Then last Thursday I had friends round and under the rules I had to turf them out at midnight (thankfully they left before then).

I fully support the efforts by James Grundy MP to get the Health Secretary to re-consider his decision of our inclusion in the restrictions.

Without sounding like Vicky Pollard: we are Lancashire but we’re Manchester but we’re Lancashire. At the moment there is very little we can do other than wait. Hopefully by the time you read this we’ll all be able to go around each other’s houses for garden parties and cups of tea.

I don’t disagree with lockdowns for areas that need them (and many do!). But, as I’ve said before, most of us in the town are using our common sense, we have one of the lowest R rates in the region so we don’t need one.

A table for one when you’re trying to support the Eat Out to Help Out scheme isn’t quite the same and I think we’ve all spent long enough in our houses to last a lifetime. Hopefully we’ll be unlocked before the offer expires.