THINGS returned to some sort of normality in June as schools reopened and many town centre shops welcomed back customers.

The first day of the month was also the first day back for thousands of primary school pupils and secondary school students in Swindon.

Months of online learning at home made children eager to return to the classroom and see their friends again, and teachers were happy to have them back, though it took a lot of effort to carry out the extra steps needed to keep everyone safe.

Meanwhile, shoppers flocked back to the town centre on the first day non-essential retailers reopened, June 15, and it was all hands on deck for staff as they prepared to manage the sizeable queues and keep customers at a safe distance.

Primark proved particularly popular as the line of hundreds stretched around the block, with a similar sight outside Sports Direct which came close to intertwining with shorter lines for nearby banks further along Regent Street.

Pubs and restaurants continued serving regulars and new punters alike as well as providing meals for the needy.

Couples hoping to get married had a bit of a nightmare trying to reschedule their big day and tried to avoid losing the thousands of pounds they had paid as a deposit for their ideal venue while bookings for 2021 quickly filled up.

One family hoped to make this Father's Day a special one by putting together a spectacular parade for a Disney-loving dad after lockdown ruined their holiday plans.

Steve and Katie Brammer wanted to take their children to Disneyland and make some happy memories in the limited time 37-year-old Steve had left - but all was not lost.

The Swindon Party Warehouse and generous neighbours ones made their dream come true as costumed characters made their way through Taw Hill to the family's home.

The day before, Steve got the chance to celebrate another lifelong love by leading a convoy of motorcycles through Swindon.

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HUNDREDS of people took to Swindon's streets as safely as possible on June 6, calling for more to be done to tackle racism and structural inequality.

American George Floyd's dying words echoed across the globe after he was killed in a brutal example of police brutality, sparking peaceful protests closer to home to show solidarity with victims of racism.

Zak Agilah led a march through the town centre which began with people taking a knee at Regent Circus and hearing impassioned speeches before carrying signs along Commercial Road to Wharf Green and calling out phrases like 'I can't breathe' and 'No justice, no peace' in unison.

Zak said: “Even in the middle of a pandemic, it’s so important to show solidarity and say that all lives cannot matter until black lives matter."

Co-organiser Tino Tenda agreed: “Many black people in the UK have sadly been subject to all forms of racism. Whether that be micro-aggression in day to day life, racial profiling or sadly death at the hands of those who are supposed to protect.

"We as people want to be confident in the system we follow but as of now we do not feel this system is made for all and is doing more harm than good.”

The Black Lives Matter march received a lot of support from passerby and attracted a large crowd.

Unfortunately, many online responses were repugnant and prompted the Adver to take the unusual step of speaking out against the trolls.

We said: "Even a newsroom well-used to the social media bullies and trolls was shocked by some of the comments reacting to a well-organised protest.

"Do all lives matter? Of course they do, we say. But the fact that everybody’s life matters does not mean it is racist to say that black lives matter. It’s not racist to point out perceived injustices. Nor is it racist to call for change, to ensure that you are treated the same as anyone else in this town."

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