IT'S been a tough 2021.

We started it off in lockdown and the year is about to close with the threat of more coronavirus restrictions being put in place in January.

Lives have been changed forever by the pandemic, but despite everything there has been some really uplifting stories to celebrate in and around Crewe.

Nub News looks back at some of those that made the news, as well as a few sadder moments we have covered over the last year.

The year started with the good news that Crewe is to receive a £14m regeneration windfall under the Future High Streets Fund.

The lockdown didn't stop town centre demolition work carrying on. After Big Bill was toppled at the end of 2020 it was the turn of Victoria Street's shopping row at the start of the year with contractors Cawarden resuming the project to clear the Royal Arcade.

There was plenty of people offering a helping hand to the community during the lockdown months. Not least the Haslington Support Group who did great work running errands for the elderly and vulnerable.

In sport it proved to be a lucrative January transfer window for Crewe Alex with Academy product Perry Ng completing a move to Championship Cardiff City, and Harry Pickering, joining Blackburn although the defender was loaned back to Crewe for the rest of the campaign.

A nice little story was the news a fundraising calendar for Queens Park had raised £3,600 to help with refurbishment of the amenity's play area.

Another super fundraising effort saw Covid survivor Gill Bennett collect over £1,200 for Leighton Hospital as a thanks to the medics that "saved her life". The 80-year-old completed a track day in her wheelchair at Oulton Park.

There was a blow for town centre retail in February with the announcement of the closure of the Burton and Dorothy Perkins outlet.

But with the future in mind Cheshire East Council welcomed a significant milestone in bringing HS2 to Crewe when the HS2 Phase 2a Hybrid Bill for the network between Birmingham and Crewe was granted Royal Assent.

In March a Crewe businessman was moved to pen an ode to Sir Captain Tom to mark the lockdown hero's funeral. Gareth Williams built up a portfolio of poems and his latest was a very topical 100-word poem marking each year of Captain Tom's life.

Residents got a chance to air their views on the redevelopment of the Royal Arcade when a public consultation got underway with an artist's impressions of the town's new bus station going on display on hoardings in the town centre.

Also on the planning front an application to build a Burger King restaurant and drive-thru within the Market Centre car park got the green light.

In the wake of publication of the Sheldon Report in March into sexual abuse in football, Crewe Alex accepted they could have "done more" to monitor the activities of paedophile coach Barry Bennell, who had once been on their payroll.

Motorbike dealership owner Roger Morris' role in boosting the vaccination campaign by opening up his showroom on West Street as a jabs centre was recognised with a Local Legend award from community station Cat FM.

Residents held an inaugural 'May Day on the Avenue' scarecrow trail around Ludlow Avenue and Stanhope Avenue.

Crewe Market Hall reopened to much accolade after a £3 million revamp and traders said they were delighted with the chance to be part of its future. A queue formed outside the hall to get in on the opening day.

Over the summer there was sad news when Crewe Alex matchday announcer and stalwart fan Andy Scoffin passed away. Andy's illness failed to prevent him from taking to the microphone as well as organising a fundraising match at Gresty Road for the Christie Hospital where he underwent treatment.

Paralympic hero Andy Small was given a VIP welcome at Mornflake's Crewe works. The wheelchair racer, who scooped gold in Tokyo this summer, visited the company's new shop and was presented with a hamper of goodies.

The community got behind the fundraising drive for brave Crewe Alex Academy keeper Ashton Hulme as he underwent treatment for a rare form of bone cancer. The effort included a charity pre-season match between Crewe and Stoke City.

Soaring attendances at Leighton Hospital's A&E make the arrival of its new building extension timely said Mid Cheshire Hospitals boss James Sumner.

Crewe's town centre festive lights switch on went online because of rising Covid cases, but there was still a stunning lights trail for residents to enjoy. Lumen Lite, a celebration of art, light, music and projection, went on display at the end of November.

As the year ended it was timely to remember those struggling for food and shelter. Crewe charity Chance Changing Lives reported it had seen a 45 per cent increase in the use of its Community Pantry.

Its volunteers were the busiest they have ever been and their work included laying on a special Christmas Day meal for the homeless at Jubilee House.