TOGETHER with the councillors and officers of Droitwich Spa Town Council, my wife and I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Christmas is a time when we remember the events which took place 2,000 years ago and reflect on the past year.
2014 has been a very busy time. When I was appointed and took the oath of office last May, I thought my year as mayor would be a very eventful one, and so it has proved.
We are fortunate in Droitwich Spa to have such a strong community. In my role, I meet many people and organisations who give their time freely to contribute to the various festivals and events we enjoy and that make our town a great place to live. I would like to say a special thank you to those residents who organise activities such as art, football, swimming, and scouting for our children to enjoy. They are positively shaping the future of our town and its community.
I would also like to thank our business community for the way it has helped my wife and me with our work for charity. We have many great local businesses here who support the town, and I urge you all to support them so they may thrive and grow, and continue to play their part in our community.
I was very pleased your town council was able to re-introduce a regular weekly market, something many residents felt had been missing for far too long.
A market is not just a place to buy things, it is also a social event with the opportunity to meet friends and have a cup of tea and a chat.
A welcome change from the supermarket queue.
We have much to look forward to in the new year, with proposals to improve the infrastructure of our High Street and the rejuvenation of the area around the Raven Hotel. I thank everyone who came to the various public meetings and took a real interest in the future development of Droitwich. Recently we also had the good news that a major car-component manufacturer has chosen to open a new manufacturing facility at Berry Hill, which will provide many new jobs for the people of Droitwich.
A range of events and festivals are already being planned for 2015, and the town council will be looking at ways to build on the previous successes.
Our events are not only fun for residents, they attract visitors, increase footfall for traders, and add to our local economy.
2015 promises to be a good year with many opportunities for us all to enjoy taking part in the life of Droitwich Spa.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and prosperous new year.
Bob Brookes
Mayor of Droitwich Spa