| Good evening, It looks like we are in for a pretty warm few days with temperatures due to peak today at around 24-25 degrees in Lancashire. But the ‘Indian summer’ as these heatwaves are known, has coincided with the government’s doubling down on Covid restrictions. The ‘rule of six’ came into force yesterday, reducing the number of people allowed to gather for social occasions to six in a bid to curb the rise in new coronavirus infections. Understandably, many are fed up with restrictions - it's particularly hard to come to terms with when the weather is lovely. But as anyone who has had a close encounter with Covid know all too well - it’s not to be messed with. Though life, as we know it now, IS difficult. As part of this, we have launched a new snapshot survey ‘The Big Conversation’ and we need you to help us take the temperature of the nation following lockdown. We and sister titles throughout the country are asking questions of readers to find out what has changed since lockdown - and what the new society which emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic should look like. Regards, Nicola Adam Deputy Editor | 
