What a difference a year makes! For the vast majority of us, there has been no experience like the past year.

In March our country was put into a national lockdown with many of us unable to leave our homes.

It was coming up to the end of my mayoral year and many of my charity events were cancelled. Subsequently my term was extended for a second year.

Our community faced hardship and heartache not experienced for many years. But of course the Haslemere volunteers came forward in their hundreds to assist the most vulnerable.

Unfortunately, as soon as we thought normality would return, the risk increased, causing more isolation and hardship.

New expressions became widely used, such as ‘social distancing,’ Covid ‘tiers’, ‘bubbles’ and ‘Hands. Face. Space’. Face masks became the norm for journeys outside.

Christmas this year will be different. Christmas Day is a time to relax with traditional Christmas food and drink. It is a magical time for children to have a visit from Father Christmas, and to open presents around a sparkling Christmas tree.

So my message this year must be about others. Have you elderly neighbours, friends or family who are on their own? Can you offer them support? Have you supported a charity that is now desperate for volunteers or funds and now need you more than ever before?

The best present you can give this year is to keep your elderly relatives and neighbours safe by being cautious and obeying the rules. And of course, the best present we have received; the new vaccine.

I would like to thank all the emergency services, volunteers and retailers who stepped up when they saw the desperate need in the community and helped to prevent the pandemic becoming a disaster.

I cannot praise highly enough the health workers who made many sacrifices to make sure the sick and elderly had the best of care.

Take care and keep well this Christmas and look forward to a happier new year in 2021.

By Cllr John Robini, Haslemere town mayor