As we prepare to welcome the New Year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past 12 months, and to thank everyone who’s made 2025 a year I’ll always hold close.
First and foremost, my heartfelt thanks go to every resident of Lemington Ward. Since being elected in May 2024, it’s been an honour to serve as your Councillor, and this year has been no exception. Your trust, your stories, and your spirit have shaped everything I’ve done.
As the graphic shows, it’s been a busy year, whether supporting residents through hundreds of pieces of casework, joining community events, or representing your voices in the Council chamber. Every meeting, walkabout, and leaflet delivered has been rooted in one goal: making Lemington fairer, kinder, and better connected.
I want to pay special tribute to the local groups and organisations who’ve helped bring people together this year. From our churches and Lemington Scouts, to the Vallum, Healthworks at the Lemington Centre, local social clubs, and the brilliant volunteers behind events across the ward, thank you for building community with care and creativity.
I’m also deeply grateful to my ward colleague Councillor Barry Phillipson, whose encouragement and strength have meant the world, especially during the months I was less able to be out and about following my cornea transplant surgery in January.
That brings me to the NHS team who transformed my life. From the surgeons and nurses to the admin staff, cleaners, and porters – thank you. Your compassion, professionalism, and quiet heroism made every step of my recovery possible.
There are countless others I could thank, because Lemington is full of people who make life better, often without fanfare. But I’ll stop here, and simply say:
Wishing you a joyful New Year and a peaceful, healthy 2026. I’m looking forward to getting stuck back in, working alongside you, standing up for you, and continuing to build a ward we’re proud of.