By Councillor Graham Titterington – Alton town mayor

What does Christmas mean to you?

Is it about the birth of Jesus Christ, a visit from Father Christmas, receiving gifts, giving to others, eating and drinking, parties, or just soaking up a magical atmosphere?

Maybe it is all of these?

Whatever you are seeking this Christmas, Alton is the place to be!

Visitors to the town over the Yuletide weekend would have seen the town’s new Christmas lights with a couple of new editions for this year.

In the summer the town council ran a competition for local children to design a new Christmas light feature.

This was won by Willow, aged five, whose winning design, a star, is displayed opposite the Assembly Rooms.

Also this year we welcomed world famous, Marmite the Marmot, at the Assembly Rooms.

Our shops, restaurants and pubs will continue to keep the festive spirit alive throughout the month and our churches will be offering a range of activities including carol services.

As Mayor of Alton I am enjoying meeting many people in the town who work tirelessly to help others.

The greatest form of giving is to give time to others.

The many people who work, mostly through voluntary organisations, to bring Christmas to their neighbours all year round are the soul of our town.

Let’s think of them as we settle down to enjoy our Christmas celebrations.

I wish you a happy Christmas and a prosperous new year.

* Mr Titterington has chosen The King’s Arms, which is currently in the process of setting up a brand new youth centre at the bottom of Vicarage Hill in Alton, and Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre as his mayor’s charities of the year.