I am writing this in the midst of a cold snap. Snow has fallen in much of the country and the predictable chaos on the roads has resulted.

Stories abound of 20-minute commutes taking four hours and of multiple accidents on black ice.

Added to this, there is widespread industrial unrest.

This festive season, travelling will be more uncertain and get-togethers more expensive. The times look bleak.

Yet, and yet. One of the privileges of being town mayor is you meet people you wouldn’t normally meet and are shown around organisations of which you know nothing.

I have been very lucky to spend time since I took office in May meeting many local heroes and their organisations, most dedicated to the good of their fellow man.

One of my two charities this year is the PACT foodbank: demand has doubled since before the pandemic and doubled again more recently.

My other charity is doing splendid work with youngsters in general and young carers in particular.

I congratulate and thank all those involved and encourage anyone who isn’t to get involved.

By chance, I met a new resident at One Tree Books café recently.

We were on different parts of the sofas and started chatting. She had moved here four years ago, newly retired, with a wealth of international experience.

She took the opportunity to compliment me (and through me, the town) on how friendly it was.

Neighbours and the u3a had made her feel accepted very quickly and she felt there was much more going on than in many bigger towns she had lived.

I’ve heard that from many people and that was our experience on moving here.

So, in these times – darker perhaps than in recent years – I invite you to celebrate your town, your neighbours and Petersfield’s selfless and caring residents.

Best wishes to you all from your town council.