Spring in their step as Salto gym members in Luton come bouncing back for their Happy Return

With society tentatively opening up in line with the Government’s roadmap out of the pandemic, the Luton News and Dunstable Gazette wants to be with our readers every step of the way.

We want to hear your positive stories about how you/your family, your business, your club/society or maybe your sports team is re-emerging from the restrictions which have made the past year so challenging. See details at the end of this article for more details on getting involved.

Here, Salto Gymnastics Club of Camford Way, Luton tells its story having returned to outdoor action on March 29 and indoor sessions on April 19.

“Salto Gymnastics Club could not wait to return to delivering gymnastics to children aged 3 years upwards in April. The pandemic has been hard for our children, we have faced a variety of issues over the last 12+ months but were super excited to re-open on April 19.

“Everyone delivering any sport in the local community will know their members just want to get back to taking part in person in their sport, digital platforms have been exhausted.

“We are committed to delivering gymnastics safely and securely in the Salto Centre now indoors organised sport has returned.

“We have worked hard as a club, securing Sport England Return to Play funding along with various other funding which has enabled us to fit over £60,000 worth of ventilation, roof lights and energy efficient lighting, which will make the centre a brighter, cleaner safe space to operate sport from for many years to come.

“As a club we have tried very hard to keep all ages engaged with a variety of themes, meditation and mindfulness being very well received, along with storytime and teddy bear picnic Zooms for the younger children, but both our coaches and children very much wanted to be back in club.

“Outdoor sessions commenced on March 29, and we were overwhelmed by the gratefulness of both children and parent alike, despite the weather!

“To register with us visit www.saltogym.org . Salto offer gymnastics and trampolining for all abilities.”

> Why not get involved in the News Gazette’s Happy Returns feature? We’d be delighted to hear details of how businesses and the community are emerging from the restrictions of the pandemic.

It might be news of a business relaunching, your youth sports team resuming its matches, how your school is coping with the ongoing challenges, how your club or society is ditching Zoom and is looking to meet face-to-face again, a family reunion or celebration which can finally go ahead, or the many other examples of events and activities we all took for granted slowly returning.

This is a great chance to tell your story over the coming weeks and months ahead. Submit 100-300 words to this newspaper on how the pandemic has had an impact, how you’ve kept going and most importantly news of your ‘Happy Return’ when it’s deemed safe.

We’d also love to receive photos of those joyful reunions/reopenings. Please send all details to [email protected]Here’s a handy reminder of the roadmap steps.

> From April 12, non-essential retail, hairdressers and public buildings opened. Outdoor settings like alcohol takeaways, beer gardens, zoos and theme parks began welcoming visitors. Indoor leisure like swimming pools and gyms opened. Funerals continued with up to 30 people, and weddings up to 15 guests.

> From May 17, ‘rule of six’ abolished for outdoor gatherings and replaced with a limit of 30 people. Two households can mix indoors – with the rule of six applied in hospitality settings like pubs. Cinemas, hotels, performances and sporting events can reopen. Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions, funerals and wakes.

> From June 21, all legal limits on social contact is intended to be removed, with the final closed sectors of the economy reopened.