From The Mayor of Brecon, Cllr John Powell:
The past months have been a busy period for Brecon Town Council and myself as Mayor despite continuing restrictions due to circumstances regarding Covid curtailing many usual undertakings around our local area. It has been good to see some gradual return to activities and events wherever possible.
Christmas is usually a time which brings everyone together, but in recent times unfortunately this has proved to be rather difficult and different.
This year’s “Brecon with Bells On” event involving our community culminating with switching on of Christmas lights in town, was a hybrid occasion with online celebrations featuring local schools singing, festive messages from residents and local businesses with several events and activities, including Christmas Fayre, Santa’s Grotto, and wonderful Christmas Window competition displays, organised by Brecon Town Council in collaboration with Brecon Chamber of Trade and Tourism, and Brecon Buzz, on the ‘Pantomime’ theme.
On behalf of Brecon Town Council, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2022 with a very healthy and happy New Year. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!
From The Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, Cllr Laurence Weerdmeester-Price:
As Christmas and New Year fast approach I thought I would like to share with the good people of Llandrindod Wells my reflections across the year.
I, like so many others have felt the effects of Covid in one form or another and the affects it had on our town. But it is only when you look at what happened to those around us do you see and feel the sense of community.
The Town Council has tried this year to bring back Christmas to lift the spirits of everyone and we hope you all enjoyed the festive lights and let’s not forget the ice rink a first in Llandrindod Wells, I believe. Almost 2000 of you participated in the event and although this was not quite the same as skating with the stars. You are all stars in our eyes.
The Pavilion Mid Wales also held a Roller Disco and although I wasn’t brave enough to skate around myself. My wife had a go and promptly fell after 5 minutes. But falling didn’t deter most of you and you whizzed around the floor having a great time.
It’s not just about the fun; there has also been some great community initiatives this year, with the opening on The Hive. My wife and I enjoyed meeting Carl and taking the tour around the site. It is obvious just how much this will help the community with Uniform Exchange, Baby Bank, Seed Bank and Library of Things to mention just some of the benefits to the town.
We also renovated part of Temple Gardens with the new Nuture our Nature Garden in summer adding a great space for all to sit and relax and we also saw many other community areas thriving with the Princes Avenue Leisure Park, once again hosting many schools and charities.
The Lakeside Boathouse have also added more and more for you to enjoy with the newly created beach area and more boats and paddleboats to enjoy on the lake.
I would like to end my reflections with a thank you to everyone for making Llandrindod Wells the happiest place to live in Wales. You are an amazing community and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
From Hay-on-Wye Town Council:
The past year has been another tough year for all of our community, residents and businesses alike. I would like to thank all our local residents for continuing to help loved ones and the most vulnerable people of Hay and surrounding areas as this pandemic continues.
Your ongoing voluntary support has been greatly appreciated by Hay Town Council (HTC) and all the community. This support has been invaluable in making sure that people have not become isolated and have been able to access food, drink, medicines and other essentials.
The business community has had to remain adaptable to a succession of governmental regulations regarding the pandemic, and has continued to operate during these most challenging of times to serve the local residents and visitors during the peak season.
Our thanks to all business owners and staff for working so hard during this difficult time.
Despite the pandemic, it has been a very busy year for HTC. We are delighted to end the year by announcing the winners of our Citizen of the Year awards, one for an individual and one for a group.
The individual award goes to Trish Kiddle and the group winner was awarded to Hay Community Woodland Group.
Town Councillors are extremely grateful for all the work you do on behalf of our town in a voluntary capacity to help serve your community.
HTC would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas. HTC is always here to help, so please contact Hay Town Clerk if you would like to raise any issues on: [email protected] or telephone: 01497 820 21