Merry Christmas

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. Let us hope on this Christmas Eve that the rain eases off and river levels stabilise, and that those households in higher risk areas can enjoy a dry, safe, peaceful Christmas at home or with friends and family. The Council is in close contact with the Environment Agency and will continue to monitor the situation closely today and throughout the Christmas period, as we all hope for some drier weather and respite from the rain.

Tomorrow I am looking forward to visiting Bedford Fire Station to offer a huge thank you and happy Christmas to those on duty. I will also be visiting the Prebend Day Centre, run by BeCHAR (Bedford Concern for the Homeless and Rootless). BeCHAR offer a Christmas dinner every year to vulnerable and homeless members of our community, and I look forward to meeting people and to thanking the volunteers for the humbling work they do, not just at Christmas but throughout the year.

Local charities like BeCHAR, and others including the King's Arms Project, do fantastic work through the year to support the most vulnerable in our society, those who suffer when it is cold because they don't have the shelter and comfort of a warm home which so many of us take for granted. As a Council we do all we can to ensure that nobody needs to sleep rough in the streets, but there are still many who for a variety of reasons slip through the net or for personal reasons cannot benefit from the services which are on offer. That is where some of the most dedicated charities step in and help pick up the pieces, providing care for those who are vulnerable and who perhaps need help to see a future for them to look forward to.

This work goes on all year round but especially at Christmas time it is right that we offer thanks to all of those who show care and compassion towards those people locally who really need it the most.

If you want to find out more about the excellent work BECHAR does, go to www.prebendcentre.org.uk.

Again, may I wish a peaceful, healthy and happy Christmas to you and your loved ones.