THAT'S certainly what the woman who founded it thinks.

Annemarie Plas, a Dutch national living in London, said she had been 'overwhelmed' by the support for the ritual, but said it had become politicised, and was dividing people instead of uniting.

Sadly, that's exactly what has happened in the village of Bletchingdon.

Veteran DJ Tommy Coombes started playing music after the applause after one of his neighbours egged him on, and it quickly became a hit, with people looking forward to it all week so they could let their hair down and also get a rare chance to socialise during lockdown.

It's a great shame, of course, that not everyone enjoyed the music, and even more of a shame that he may have been forced to stop right before his last ever show tonight (watch this space), but we mustn't blame those who don't feel able to join the fun.

Our society is made up of all sorts of people, and that's what makes life fun: many people have loved joining in with the NHS clap every Thursday night and many loved Tommy's tunes, but others have struggled during this lockdown, and don't find the celebrations so fun.

Those of us who have joined in have had a great time, plenty of NHS workers have said it means a great deal to them that we have showed our support, and we've all felt a sense of community doing it.

Spare a thought for those who don't feel that sense of community, and don't enjoy the celebrations – that's a tough place to be.