A Christmas message from Councillor Elaine Griffin-Singh, the mayor of Ely.

My mayoral year is now nearly two thirds through and this very special time of year causes us to reflect as we write the Christmas card list and consider who we need to honour with special wishes and thanks.

Naturally, it has been an honour to represent Ely and to be given the chance to influence development or change through chairing the City of Ely Council.

Ely is a wonderful place to live and the major developments ahead of us need careful handling to ensure we reach our best potential without altering the special character of Ely that we love so much.

Ely has recently been voted the “kindest” place in England and that comes as no surprise. As I have moved through my year, I have been awarded utmost respect and received the warmest of welcomes everywhere, for which I thank you.

The last eight months has been a real whirlwind of activity and opportunities thanks to the people around me and the people I have met.

I wish to offer my sincere thanks to all the individuals, businesses, groups and charities that I have worked with so far and who have supported me, and my ideas, during my term.

The mayoral Christmas card list proved to be impossible as too many people have helped me this year to deliver events and ideas for The Mayor’s charity and with a number of initiatives which are ongoing and which I hope will continue well beyond my involvement.

If you are reading this and you know you have stood beside me along the way, please consider this message as your Christmas card with “thank you” enclosed.

Please allow me to wish everyone in the Ely community and surrounding areas a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.