Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge’s Mayor, Derick Cooper, has issued the following Christmas message to residents of the two towns…
“Time flies fast, Christmas is almost here and it is already more than half way through my Mayoral term.
Being Mayor of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge is a great honour. I have met so many people and I have been impressed by the amount of good work that is carried out in our two towns by community and voluntary organisations.
My wife and I have been delighted to attend so many events over the past months and are amazed at the amount of hard work and organisation that has gone into making these activities so successful.
There are so many unsung heroes who work tirelessly for the benefit of others. I would like to extend a warm thank you to everyone that I have met during my first seven months in office and thank them all for the warm and friendly welcomes that I have received.
I would like to acknowledge the role of our young people in the life of our towns, very often they are portrayed in a negative light when in fact the majority of them are good, hardworking and considerate people who are working hard at school and in the workplace.
Please remember the true spirit of Christmas “Peace and Goodwill to all people”. When the shops close on Christmas Eve the holiday can be a lonely time for many people. Be a good neighbour this Christmas, if you have elderly people nearby or know someone who will be on their own pay them a visit, check that they are comfortable and stay for a chat.
I hope too that you will spare a thought for those who are working over the holidays to provide the services that enable us to enjoy our time off. Think of the emergency services, hospital staff and carers and especially of our armed forces in danger and separated from their families. I am aware that the current economic situation will affect many families this Christmas, but the love of family and good friends is priceless.
Next year will bring many challenges for us all but I am confident that cooperation between local councils, local businesses and the voluntary sector will ensure that our Towns will remain happy and successful places in which to live.
To all who are spending Christmas away from home this year, but who may be reading this message on the Internet, I would like to extend Christmas greetings from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge.
Christine and I pray that God will bless you all with a peaceful and happy Christmas followed by a successful and contented new year.”
Derick Cooper
