THIS YEAR has been a story of recovery – from the terrible impact of the pandemic on people’s jobs and livelihoods – but also getting back to the things we love doing.
I hope that people are able to show their support for local businesses – whether it is picking up ingredients for festive meals or picking up gifts and cards in local shops.
Have a pint in your local pub or spoil yourself with a meal out. Every penny counts to help our local businesses to get back on their feet.
This recovery and the return of our freedoms has all be made possible by the amazing vaccine programme.
Please make sure you get your Covid jab and also the annual influenza vaccination, when invited to do so. By getting protected you are helping yourself and others and, most importantly, helping to keep the pressure off our NHS.
At this time of year, it is important to pay tribute to the emergency services, the health and care workers, the NHS, the armed forces and everyone else who has to work over the festive period.
In addition, I salute all the people who have gone above and beyond their usual responsibilities to deal with this national time of crisis to protect us and our way of life.
It has been a very difficult couple of years and I extend my sympathies to everyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one at this time of year.
But we all hope for better times ahead and that 2022 is a story of good health, economic recovery and a return to normality for as many of you as possible.
