Chester Chronicle letters

Dec 23 2004

AS ANOTHER year draws to a close, it gives me great pleasure to wish all my constituents and the people of Cheshire a happy Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year.

For most of us, the season of Christmas is a time set aside to share with our families and friends, and thoughts of my theme for the year - 'the family' - are uppermost in my mind. To those of you who will be spending this special time with loved ones around you, I send my warmest wishes for happy days together.

As we join together to celebrate this season of goodwill, let our thoughts reach out to those who may be facing difficult times and whose lives are touched by sadness. As we remember them in our thoughts and prayers, let us hope that they find peace and comfort and renewed hope for the coming year.

I rededicate myself to work as hard as ever in the coming year for all my constituents, taking up their cases, representing local communities and everyone in Eddisbury. People need an effective voice on the issues that face us in our daily lives as they are decided at national level.

This Christmas I will also be thinking of those who give their time over the festive season in the community and, in particular, voluntary and public service.

I strongly believe that service to the community is the most rewarding task that we can undertake during our lives. We are not meant to run life's race on our own but to run it in part-nership and friendship with others. This is what gives our lives meaning and definition and it is an approach to life that can be adopted by everyone no matter what their circumstances.

My wife, Gemma, joins me in wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and peaceful new year.
STEPHEN O'BRIEN MP

AS ANOTHER year comes to an end it is good to look back and reflect on what has been achieved.

2004 has seen its share of problems and tragedy but also of joy and progress.

Sadly families and communities are still being devastated by mindless terrorism and violence but we continue to strive for peace. Iraqi elections will take place in January and Presidential elections have already taken place in Afghanistan.

There are many positive things happening.

Unemployment nationally and locally continues to decrease; new advances in medical science offer hope to millions; and developments in information technology are providing new opportunities and bringing the people of the world closer together.

2005 will see Britain taking over the presidency of the G8 of top industrialised nations and this will give us a unique opportunity to encourage other member states to join us in ending poor countries' debt and increasing aid. Both the Prime Minister and chancellor have called for urgent action to fight world poverty and Tony Blair has already said that this would be one of his G8 priorities along with climate change and the Aids epidemic.

During the last 12 months in Ellesmere Port and Neston we can celebrate that, after years of campaigning, the H H Robertson pensioners will benefit from the Government's pension rescue package; yet another new school will be built replacing St Mary of the Angels and the Neston 'Market Town' initiative is under way.

Christmas really is a time to think about those less fortunate than ourselves, whether at home or abroad, and perhaps pledge to do something that will 'make a difference' next year. Those who are sick or lonely or those coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, also need our thoughts.

And while we are all enjoying the festive break our thanks must go to the many people in our essential services who will keep on working.

I look forward to 2005 as a year that promises to be a time of change and progress and an opportunity to build a fairer society for everyone.

My best wishes for Christmas and the new year to all.
ANDREW MILLER MP

I always look forward to Christmas, spending some time at home with my family and friends, and taking our dog Jet for good long walks in the countryside.

It is always a real treat to see the lights and decorations that transform the street scenes of the towns and villages as I travel to various engagements throughout my Weaver Vale constituency.

It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the Band Aid single Do they know its Christmas was released in 1984. That year Band Aid raised much needed cash and helped to ensure the starving people of Ethiopia got food and water. I am delighted that the new version of this single has gone straight to number one and I hope that it makes millions of pounds to help tackle poverty in Africa.

Twenty years on and parts of Africa are still ridden by famine, Aids and civil war. Britain leads the world on debt relief. And Africa will be at the top of the agenda for our G8 presidency and our presidency of the EU in 2005.

As we settle down to open our presents and enjoy our Christmas dinner we should give more than a thought for those less well off and resolve to do more to tackle poverty wherever it exists.

Can I take this opportunity on behalf of myself and all my constituency office staff to wish all the readers of the Chester Chronicle all the very best for Christmas and the new year.
MIKE HALL MP Weaver Vale

I ALWAYS enjoy Christmas and I am fortunate to be able to view its magic, excitement and wonder through the eyes of my troop of small grandchildren.

It is a very special time of year and over the coming weeks I am looking forward to attending many events, both large and small, which to me all capture the essence of Christmas.

However, that generosity of spirit, humanity, care and friendship, is certainly not confined to just a few short weeks in Cheshire.

Being county council chairman is a proud yet humbling experience as I witness the sheer hard work and continuing commitment undertaken by a wide range of people all of the time, no matter what the date, time or season.

During our family gatherings this Christmas I will be thinking not only of those who I believe have the spirit of Christmas 24 hours, seven days a week, but also people who cannot be with their loved ones or able to take part in such celebrations, including the families and members of the armed services serving in Iraq and elsewhere in the world.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and the very best of the season.

I also look forward to witnessing the continuing friendship, care, commitment and support throughout the coming months which to me create the very heartbeat of the county I cherish.
COUNCILLOR BARRIE R HARDERN Chairman Cheshire County Council