EVEN Adolf Hitler couldn't stop Lochore Old Folks Summer Drive taking place, but in 2020 Covid-19 succeeded where the Fuhrer failed.

The Lochore and District Old People's Welfare Council's summer trip to Kelso was a victim of the coronavirus crisis when this week's event had to be cancelled.

Council chairman, Joe Paterson, was bitterly disappointed but he admitted there was no option.

"What really struck me was that looking through the records the old folks summer drives started in the 1930s and have continued each year ever since, almost 90 years, but where Hitler failed coronavirus has succeeded," said Joe.

"Clearly with the Crosskeys Hotel being closed due to the crisis and the fact that our senior citizens are having to look after themselves to beat Covid-19, meant that we were always going to be up against it and it all means that almost 150 of our veterans have been denied their summer day out through this disease.

"I am very disappointed by it all for a lot of work had gone into organising the day."

Joe has been chairman of the council for almost 50 years, and is now a senior citizen himself, so he and his committee are now looking at the 2020 Christmas treat.

"It is hard to know what is going to happen with the problems being caused by this, but we have the festive event organised for December and hopefully it will be able to go ahead," said Joe.

"I am sure that when Dr Sinclair created the Old People's Welfare Council, he could not have dreamt of coronavirus scuppering our plans in 2020."

The Old People's Welfare Council will have all their sights trained on ensuring that the 2020 Christmas treat goes ahead as planned!