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This 14th July, there could be no dancing in the streets into the night on Bastille Day for the citizens of Dijon (thank you Covid….), but there was a spectacular musical firework display on the waters and banks of Lake Kir with the theme of “Good food and fine wine”.

It followed a grand military parade on 13th July with members of the army, navy and air-force as well as the French Red Cross, the fire brigade and representatives from other public service and security organisations along with a fly-by of a gendermarie helicopter and a Mirage jet-fighter from a local air-force base.

Storm Bernd reached Münster on 14th July. The city’s 10 fire-engines with their largely volunteer crews were soon called to 70 flooded cellars and flats. Luckily, there was no loss of life or permanent damage to property.
   Many other parts of the region, where the storm struck harder, were less fortunate. In nearby Hagen, for example, 76 residents of an old people’s home had to be evacuated. In Altena, a fireman was drowned. Many fire and rescue units were sent from Münster to other towns in the region to help with the flooding and the clean-up operation. Although the waters have now receded, mud, rubbish and bulky household items washed out of homes remain to be cleared.

Corona infections are rising in Münster. Since the start of the pandemic there have been 8096 cases. The number of Münster residents who have died remains at 121. The greatest number of cases now are among young people under 30 who have been out and about socialising. From 21st July, stricter preventative measures apply. Masks must be worn at outside markets, in queues and at take-aways. In clubs and discos, up to 250 people who have tested negative can party outside. Other celebrations such as weddings continue to have limited numbers. However, the open-air summer cinema starts at the end of July and anyone can come along without a Covid test.