I wish everyone a happy New Year!

 I have joined many people in their Christmas celebrations over the Christmas period. I joined Ray’s Café when they offered a Christmas Lunch to Senior Citizens, opened the Christmas Fair at Burnham Methodist Church ,and joined the Sea Cadets for their Christmas lunch. I joined many hardy people at the outdoor Carols by Candlelight service in Manor Gardens with the Burnham Community Church. We were lucky to avoid the worst of the rain that night. I joined in the Moose International Service in Burnham Baptist church to celebrate our voluntary organisations.

I have enjoyed getting to know all the music groups in our town. What a varied and interesting selection we have. I attended the concert given by the King Alfred’s Concert Band in St John’s Church, Highbridge. It was great to see the variety of ages involved in the band.  I then attended the Christmas Concert given by the Burnham Choral Society in Our Lady and the English Martyrs’ Catholic Church in Burnham. On both occasions I was struck by the quality of music offered by choirs, bands and orchestras in Burnham. We are lucky to have such a variety of musical talents to enjoy.

I met with members of the ‘Visit Somerset’ team to find out their role in Somerset and how we could work together to promote the town. I was pleased to visit the Zone Youth Club in the Bay Centre. It was good to meet members of the new committee and to watch a thriving provision for the town. This is a much needed resource to support families as they respond to the cost of living crisis.  Many people are increasing their work commitment to help support the family. I was pleased to join the Fritzlar Twinning Group for their Christmas lunch. We are aiming to increase membership of the group to attract a wider age group. It will be good to start the twinning visits to Germany again in the future.

I have to say that my highlight of Christmas was joining the Town Crier on a round of the Nursing Homes in Burnham.  I was amazed by his knowledge and recognition of so many local people. It was a joy and privilege to join him that day. We met many lovely people both residents and carers as we went around. I would like to thank all those people who support the homes in our town, both voluntary and paid. They do an amazing job and every home offered a warm caring environment. We were made very welcome and the Town Crier soon had everyone smiling.  A real Christmas treat!

I am now looking forward to this year as we hold elections for the Youth Town Council aiming for an inaugural meeting in February. I will be joining members of the sixth form at TKAS to discuss how they see the Youth Town Council would be most effective.  We will also look at how they can implement some of the ideas on the Climate and Ecology Plan. Exciting times!