Christmas message from Arun's chairman

Cllr Graham Tyler writes: "I am delighted, as Christmas approaches, to take the opportunity to say thank you to the people of Arun who make this district so special.

"Being chairman is a great honour for me. I have met so many people and I have been touched by the great warmth and generosity of spirit which the district represents.

"There are so many unsung heroes in Arun, people who work tirelessly for the benefit of others. I would like to extend a warm thanks to everyone I have met during these last seven months in office and thank you all for the warm and friendly welcomes I have received.

"As I reflect on my time as chairman, the highlights for me have been the activities and events that have taken me into the heart of our communities, meeting the people who dedicate themselves to improving the areas where they live.

"I look forward to meeting many more people as this busy time of year sees me attending lots of events around the district.

"It is important for us all to remember that as well as the happiness of Christmas, it can also be a time of great sadness for many families. It is a time to think about other people who may be feeling lonely or in need of friendship and support.

"With that in mind I would encourage everyone to remember all our elderly neighbours, relatives and friends. Remember that just popping in for a chat can make a real difference to someone who may be living alone. I also want to thank all those people who will be working over the Christmas period and cannot be with their families. I am thinking particularly of the armed forces, emergency services, local authority homes, meals-on-wheels and staff at our local hospitals."