After spending over 2 months in lockdown, for the third time in the last year, the UK welcomed a long-awaited heatwave, just in time for the easing of lockdown restrictions. From Monday the 29th of March, 2021, the 'stay at home' rule ended, and with temperatures reaching 22 degrees in parts of the south, many people headed for the parks to meet in groups of 6 to enjoy the well-deserved sunshine. 

With the Easter Bank Holiday weekend looming along with the end of term for schools across the country, this sudden burst of summer couldn't have come any sooner. At Reigate College, in Surrey, students gathered in the outdoor spaces provided on the college, and local parks, to enjoy the sunshine. On Tuesday Afternoon, Priory Park was filled with local residents, desperate to make the most of the good weather.

Last Tuesday, the 23rd of March, marked a year since the UK was first placed in the UK, many people have found the pandemic a very difficult time when it comes to mental health, however with the easing of lockdown, some people are starting to feel a bit more at ease. Reigate College student Zoë Johnson said that "It has really boosted my mental health because I have been able to see my friends outside of lessons and it has made me excited about the summer to come as the COVID restrictions continue to ease."

Contrary to the well-received heatwave, by Monday, temperatures are predicted to drop to a low of minus two degrees, with some forecasts predicting snow for the early days of next week!