Wishing a safe and prosperous New Year for everyone

 I'd like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy New Year.

The Festive Season is a time for celebration, and for reflecting on the events of the past 12 months while planning for the year ahead.

I hope that everyone has an enjoyable time, but most of all I hope it passes off safely.

As I have mentioned before, I spent many years working as a fire officer, and I'm afraid I know form personal experience that New Year is always a very busy time for our emergency services.

There has always been a risky combination of toasting in the new year a little too over-enthusiastically, the icy winter weather, and so many people staying up far later than normal. In recent years we've also had new traditions spring up, such as midnight firework displays adding to the potential for accidents.

I would just appeal to everyone to celebrate the new year but to do so as safely as possible, and don't wake up on the morning over New Year's Day with anything worse than a hangover.

Please take extra care if you are out on the roads, use public transport where it's available and if you're drinking use a taxi or designated non-drinking driver.

Please also spare a thought for those who either cannot go out and celebrate or chose to spend a quiet time at home.

Finally, I would like to mention the many county council staff who turn in for work as normal throughout the Christmas and New Year period. These include those who care for some of our most vulnerable citizens and those who have to deal with emergencies, including our gritter crews.

Happy New Year

Page Last Modified: 24/12/2007 11:37:19

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