The last time I visited the Showering Pavilion, at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet, was a sold out evening with Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess, back in November 2019.

Therefore, yesterday's visit was definitely different as I received my first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

I received a letter, on Wednesday, inviting me to book an appointment online for a first dose and was impressed when I discovered I could have the vaccine on the following day at the Bath and West.

It was fortunate that I had picked a quiet time, as the whole procedure took no more than 20 minutes including a 15-minute wait in my car after the injection.

The organisation at the showground was excellent with professional NHS staff and volunteers ensuring a very slick experience.

Everyone I encountered was extremely helpful and I have nothing but praise for all the staff who went out of their way to make sure my visit went without a hitch.

Well done to all concerned, you were magnificent.

One footnote, I developed flu like symptoms after around six hours, but am feeling fine again today.

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By Trevor Lethaby