Mayor's Christmas message

I WOULD LIKE to send Christmastide greetings to everyone in our town and good wishes for the coming year.

My reflections on the past year see us all working in a true community spirit to enhance and improve the opportunities available for all age groups.

There are first class opportunities available for employment, innumerable organisations and clubs to join, a wide variety of eating venues, pubs and clubs and a galaxy of events at the Corn Exchange and other public halls for evening entertainment.

We are also fortunate in having excellent schools, all with so much going for them. Our young people seem to have been particularly to the fore this year, the number who attended the VE/VJ 60th anniversary commemorations and Remembrance Sunday was particularly encouraging.

There have been so many successful events to remember, the Family Fun Day, the Bourne Festival organised by Round Table, and the Cricket Week in September certainly drew the crowds and brought everyone together. The Trafalgar dinner at the Corn Exchange organised by the Royal Naval Association was certainly an evening and an experience to remember. Once again our young people were most supportive with many members of the Army Cadet Force and pupils from Bourne Grammar School Orchestra participating.

Late night shopping in the town centre and the traditional switching on of the Christmas lights again attracted huge crowds and they contributed to a wonderful friendly atmosphere. The school and church choirs, the bands, stalls, shops and fun fair, together with the appearance of an ice rink, a most welcome innovation, all contributed to a wonderfully happy family evening.

As another year closes, let us remember the past, live for the present but always look to the future with hope, passion and a positive outlook for the increased prosperity of our town.

A happy and contented Christmas to you all and much health and prosperity for 2006.

Bourne
Christmas 2005.

Judy Smith, the 34th Mayor of Bourne, has been a member of the town council for the past six years and was elected to South Kesteven District Council as a member for Bourne East in 2003. In addition, she plays an important role in the life of the community with varied involvement including the Royal British Legion, the Butterfield Day Care Centre for the elderly and particularly the Abbey Church where she is a member of the ministry team. She is married to John Smith, also a town and district councillor and former mayor.
Photograph of Judy Smith: Courtesy South Kesteven District Council