New Year’s message from Leamington mayor Cllr Alan Wilkinson

WE ARE blessed living here in Leamington in one of England’s loveliest towns, which is loved and cared for by dedicated volunteers; witness the prize winning contribution to Leamington Station gardens, the soon-to-be-installed Linden Arches in the Pump Room Gardens and the tireless efforts of those involved in Britain in Bloom.

It is also the people who live and work in Leamington that make it so special. I’ve been delighted over the past seven months to have spent time with people who I would never have met had I not been mayor. I fondly remember spending a lovely afternoon with adult students with learning difficulties and disabilities who are studying active citizenship at Warwickshire College. They had been working to understand how health and living conditions compare in different countries and had raised money to fund a toilet in Burundi, Africa. Many other visits have moved me as we have seen the care and commitment of so many volunteers. Particularly emotional was the Remembrance Day ceremony when hundreds of people gathered in unexpected sunshine to show their respect for our armed forces and their sacrifice, past and present.

As mayor I have three charities: Epilepsy Research, BasicNeeds and Refuge. We have had a successful tea dance in the Pump Rooms and a ‘boogie with the mayor’ at St Patrick’s Irish Club. Recently we had a concert at the town hall to celebrate the ‘Spirit of Christmas’ with contributions from different communities in Leamington who may not often get the opportunity to be in the town hall. It captured the excitement and dynamism we share from different traditions settling in our town.

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Next year will be challenging for Leamington. We are fortunate in having a local economy that is more vibrant than some. This does not, however, leave room for complacency. We must be ever vigilant to ensure that there are work opportunities and suitable housing for all.

To all you readers I wish a happy and prosperous New Year.