WELL, it’s been another strange year.

I was elected mayor in May with a fairly empty diary but as restrictions eased, things have got busier and busier.

There have been some great events I’ve attended, from the solemn dignity of the launch of the Poppy Appeal at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, to the fabulous Kara van Park exotic cabaret at the The Swan in the High Street back in September.

The mayor’s job is to represent the area locally and further afield and, as far as I am concerned, to encourage and support local businesses, as well as joining in with lots of community events. These are so often organised by a regiment, an army, of generous local volunteers. Bravo to you all!

As we move further into Plan B and more uncertainty surrounding Omicron, one thing I do know is that, as I saw first hand last time, the communities of Haslemere, Hindhead, Beacon Hill, Wey Hill and Grayswood will come together and support each other until we can come out again the other side.

Because we will come out, with the help of vaccines and sensible precautions.

And if you are in real hardship over Christmas, the government has given our borough £240,000 to spend on those struggling with household bills or in need of financial support. We have £15,000 of that in Haslemere already - please contact the town hall on 01428 654305 to enquire.

I wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, prosperous and peaceful new year.

Cllr Simon Dear

Mayor of Haslemere