Christmas is a very special time. It’s a time for family and friends to get together and reflect on the year gone by and celebrate the New Year.

Throughout my term as Mayor in attending a wide variety of events, I continue to be impressed by the vast amount of good works that are carried out in Ross-on-Wye by the community and voluntary sectors.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year, particularly in Ross-on-Wye with our Choirs, Christmas Markets, Carnival, Christmas lights celebrations, The Lions lunch on Christmas day for the elderly, who might be on their own at Christmas, and the plethora of other small events where the people of Ross express the spirit of Christmas.

At this festive time of year our thoughts are with those less fortunate than ourselves, and we extend our help and support wherever possible. Also for the elderly who are living on their own, the people who have to work over the Christmas period, and the Armed Forces wherever they are stationed in the world and who are unable to be at home with their families and we wish them a safe return home.

To all the people of Ross-on-Wye, God bless you and we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

David and Doreen Ravenscroft

Mayor and Mayoress of Ross-on-Wye