Christmas Message

From John Hutchinson, Chairman of the Parish Council

The Parish Council continues to work very hard on your behalf but is only too aware of the outstanding problems which face our village community. Several, that trouble me in particular, seem almost insoluble despite our best efforts; litter, graffiti, vandalism. There are many other issues that worry some of you and, although you may be sceptical at times, the whole Council and its Clerk work tirelessly to address whatever is brought to their attention, and many other things besides. Sadly many of the decisions affecting our community are not within the powers of the Parish Council and of course when we are able to make decisions they do not please all of the people all of the time.

During the year as a result of the May elections we had to say goodbye to three council members, Margaret Gamble, David Cawdell and Roy Jessop; I was grateful for their loyal support and hard work during office. In the meantime we welcomed Joan Bloodworth, Terry Stirling and Sue Templeman, all of whom quickly became involved in the work of the Parish Council.

Work will start, in the near future, on the landscaping project for the Jubilee land in Church Lane. Planning permission has been granted and funding is now in place. This project replaces the earlier plan to build several houses on part of this land; I know this will please many objectors and will certainly make major visual improvements to the heart of the village.
As always I send Christmas greetings and blessings, on behalf of myself and Kate and our hardworking Clerk, Kathryn and all the Councillors, to you and your families in Quorn and beyond.

From Andy Reed MP

I suppose it is a sign of advancing years that Christmas seems to come around quicker and quicker each year. Although with the television adverts, decorations and Santa in his grotto from what seems like the middle of September it is little wonder we seem to have just recovered from last Christmas before embarking on the whole thing all over again.

Yet Christmas should be a very special time. It should be a time to enjoy giving without needing to receive in return. For most people it will, but for too many Christmas can also be a time of sadness and loneliness and we should remember those at this time.

Sadly these days Christmas increasingly seems to be about record sales figures in the shops rather than a period of religious celebration. For those of us with a faith it should still be a time celebrating the birth of Jesus, and yet too often it is still the stress of present buying, food purchasing and 'overdoing it' that are our abiding memories.

However, during the last year I have had the opportunity to visit Ethiopia to see for myself the impact of drought and starvation that means millions of people literally have nothing. Meeting a family whose sole proud possession was a plastic hair comb is humbling. It is in stark contrast to the consumerism that will blight our lives for a few weeks. But out of that despair there is hope. Faces filled with joy because of the generosity of Oxfam in bringing food and water and with it a future. It is times like this that the understanding of the gift of life becomes real, and our daily moans pale into insignificance.

I hope that you too can find time in the Christmas break to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and why over 2000 years on we still celebrate the birth of this child - Jesus. For me it is about bringing hope to those who are suffering and peace and goodwill to all.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.

From Richard Shepherd, Borough Councillor

I am very grateful to the editorial team of "The Quorndon" for inviting me to submit a Christmas message. It's an excellent magazine and I feel privileged to be asked to contribute.
I think Quorn is a lovely place to live. I've been here since I married in 1974, my wife was born here, and we have brought up our two sons here. Quorn gives us good neighbours, friends and acquaintances. All of us who live here are lucky to have access to a range of interest groups and organisations, and facilities such as our shops, library and post office. Local government has a role in village life and I am glad to have the chance to play a part as a Borough Councillor.

Of course it is very much just "a part" because so much depends on the contribution of others: my fellow Charnwood Councillor, David Slater, our County Councillor, Tony Kershaw, and Quorn's extremely hard-working and dedicated Parish Councillors, led by John Hutchinson.

It may be a cliché, but it's still true, that Christmas and New Year are moments not just of celebration but also of reflection on what's past and what's to come. In Quorn we have a lot to celebrate and a lot to look forward to. So, through "The Quorndon", I should like to take this opportunity to wish a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of us in our village community.