THE Maldon news week started off quietly enough and perhaps with the sort of feeling we have become used to since March – waiting to see, waiting to find out what will happen next.

Waiting – some to find out whether they could carry on seeing loved ones, others to know whether a wedding could go ahead even with reduced plans, others still whether their hard-built businesses or careers might yet survive and some whether or not they needed to worry about other medical treatment going ahead. And the truth is, I have barely started the list here.

As a local journalist - and I sometimes think that is a state of mind as much as a job – I have on the one hand my own life, much as everyone else does, and on the other I am looking outward at the community all around me, an observer.

Through all the years I have done this, one thing has always struck me more than anything else: I will never stop being amazed by people, by what they can do (in a good way), what they can achieve and often, how in awe of them I feel. This is so much greater, powerful and overwhelming than the bad that we all see sometimes.

It has left me a strong believer in humans and human nature.

After the new restrictions were announced, I spoke to one businesswoman in the town who was, quite frankly, feeling crushed. It started out as a pain-filled conversation, yet by the end of it things had turned around and she was thinking hard about her next move – how she could still make this work. We are already planning a feature for some time soon.

Later that day, I spoke to James Burrell-Cook, pub landlord at the Queen Victoria. It was clear in everything he said that his strength of feeling, his concern, was for all people in the local hospitality industry. And, of course, James will continue to work as hard as ever to keep his customers safe and plough on through this difficult time.

A couple of days later I interviewed Steve Gillbe, owner of the Little Shop of Sweets and Treats, for this week's Up Close in Maldon feature. As he told me, some people could think this is a strange time to open a new shop, but Covid-19 had forced him to leave his previous work in the exhibition industry. Instead, he has turned to his family and together they have invested their savings in a dream they had always had.

What has struck me so powerfully this week is the bravery of our business community here in Maldon – the way they pick themselves up, carry on, try again.

As the week drew to a close, I was contacted by Sarah Troop, director of Maldon and District Community Volunteer Service (CVS). Sarah wanted to let me know that the volunteers are monitoring the situation closely and making contingency plans with the organisations who came to the rescue last time, when lockdown started – just in case they need to spring into action again.

While they and all of us hope that won't become necessary, one thing is for sure. We live in a strong community with a lot of good humans around. Whatever happens next week, next month, next year – we still have that.