WESTBURY residents have received special praise from the High Sheriff of Wiltshire this summer for the town’s extraordinary response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Ashley Truluck, has been “particularly impressed by the way Westbury’s town council, local businesses and, most important of all, willing volunteers have united as one community to help their neighbours struggling with the effects of Coronavirus and the associated lockdown.”

Representing the oldest Royally-appointed office in the land, Mr Truluck sent a letter to volunteers across Westbury thanking them for their ongoing service on behalf of the entire county.

Over the past four months, volunteers have helped with packing and delivering food boxes, shopping for vulnerable residents, dog walking, poster design, picking up prescriptions and much more.

The High Sheriff’s letter also pinpointed an often missed but essential part of a volunteers role, having those ‘doorstep chats’ with the residents they assist, often helping to allay anxieties about the pandemic while stemming the tide of loneliness that has washed over so many during this period.

Any residents looking to get involved with further volunteering in the town can like the Open Westbury page on Facebook for more information and regular updates, or call 01373 822232.

Open Westbury is a Westbury Town Council Initiative.