AS WE head towards the Christmas break we’re provided with the perfect time to reflect on everything that’s happened this year and look forward to the next.
I want to start on a positive note and in the new High Street which had its first anniversary in August.
Many of you enjoyed the wonderful light switch-on event which was combined with Bromsgrove’s first ever Christmas market. I hope these festivities continue to grow in years to come.
Throughout the year we’ve also seen street theatre events, the return of the farmers’ market, specialised markets, community clean-ups and the magnificent march by the Mercian Regiment back in February.
Across the rest of the district, Rubery, Wythall and Hagley are just a few of the other areas that have come together for their own street theatre shows over the summer, community clean-ups and Christmas events.
All of these events contribute to economic development within Bromsgrove with some excellent business orientated and community work has been done by NWEDR and the new Town Team. It is the intention this work will spread across the whole district next year with the appointment of a Centres Manager to develop the town centre and other key centres/villages across the district.
It’s been somewhat of a rollercoaster this year though and the threat to the services at the Alexandra Hospital remains an ongoing battle – one which I, along with neighbouring leaders and MPs, will continue to fight.
We will fight for the residents of Worcestershire and for the staff who remain dedicated and provide excellent care day in, day out because we all deserve more than what we’ve been left with by WAHT.
Finally, I could not finish this message without talking about one of the most exciting things to have happened this year – our move to Parkside. It’s been a long time coming as we have been sympathetic to the special restoration needed for this listed building but we’re finally in and ready to serve our customers, all in one place.
2015 has definitely been a year of changes and firsts in Bromsgrove and I hope that next year will be just as exciting.
I wish all our residents a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
Coun Margaret Sherrey
Leader
Bromsgrove District Council
