Cllr Peter Lucey, Wokingham town mayor

CHRISTMAS returns, and the last 12 months seem to have flown by! Yet I always feel uplifted with the approach

of Christmas. Its traditions of peace, hospitality and goodwill do so much to inspire our feelings of charity and fellowship.

We have so much going on in Wokingham at this time, from the Winter Carnival to the Living Advent Calendar. These events also raise funds for our various local charities; such charities – and the Living Advent Calendar itself – could not survive without the efforts of all the volunteers, and the generosity of our local businesses. My thanks to them all.

While enjoying time with friends and family at Christmas, we must remember those in hospitals or care, or otherwise alone at this time, and I am always impressed by the work of our local volunteers and nurses to assist those affected.

On Christmas morning, I will visit a number of Wokingham care homes and establishments and support the Link Visiting scheme’s Christmas lunch.

I thank the many people in our town who spend their Christmas Day caring for others, and of course those who, at this holiday time, serve protecting our town and country.

As you will have noticed, we are in the middle of a truly exciting renewal of the Wokingham town centre. I look forward to the beautiful new Market Place in Spring 2018, and the new shops in Peach Place, but at the moment I know things can be a struggle.

There are special pressures on our retailers during these improvements and I will concentrate all my Christmas purchases in Wokingham Town, and I would urge you to shop local this Christmas too.

And finally, on behalf of Wokingham Town Council, I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, a peaceful new year and great prosperity in 2018.