The early months of 2020 have been a time of lockdown to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 global pandemic. It was a time when we were not allowed out except for essential shopping, exercise, medical appointments or to deliver things to those who were unable to go out, such as those with symptoms of the disease.

It was a time when we could not visit our family. The only people we saw were our neighbours.

Sometimes we went shopping for our elderly neighbours, always being careful to leave the goods on the step and move away before the door was opened.

It was a time when good neighbours could support each other by simply talking, always ensuring we kept our “social distance” of two meters.

Neighbours whom we never normally met now took on a new importance.

That is why, for the Coventry & Warwickshire Children’s Peace Poem 2021, we have chosen the theme of Neighbourliness.