Last week we reported that tickets had gone on sale for the Great Southern Nights gigs, a state government initiative to aid the recovery of the live music, hospitality and tourism industries.

Elsewhere in the Northern Tablelands there will be a couple of Sunday concerts in Glen Innes during the month.

Meanwhile, we spoke to Catholic Bishop Michael Kennedy and Anglican Bishop Rick Lewers about the restrictions that had been eased for church services.

While those changes will not make a big difference for services in our region, it does offer, along with the Great Southern Nights gigs, some light in the pandemic tunnel.

It has been a year where so many things we may have previously taken for granted are more appreciated.

Looking back on the year, it seems a long time since the bushfires of last summer.

Former Armidale councillor Diane Gray has taken on a new role, working as a strengthening business facilitator for Business Australia.

The service can support business whether they were affected directly or indirectly by the bushfires, so Ms Gray said that means pretty much any business within the Armidale area can have support.

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great week.

Remember, if your have a news tip or would like to get in touch you can reach me at laurie.bullock@austcommunitymedia.com.au.

Laurie Bullock

Editor