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New Year Message to Residents from the Mayor of Hailsham

Mayor's Press Releases

Photo of Town Mayor Councillor Paul Holbrook 

“I hope that you had a pleasant Christmas break, despite it being very different for many of us with the restrictions on the number of people from different households we were permitted to engage in festivities with.

I’d like to take the opportunity to say that, while many of us had a rough 2020 due to the terrible COVID-19 pandemic, we have now entered a new year and things are beginning to look positive. 2021 brings the hope that we will see a noticeable reduction in the number of infection cases next year, if as many of us as possible seek the protection needed from COVID-19 and have the vaccine when it’s available to you.

With the arrival of the new vaccines, it is estimated that we should be able to fully protect ourselves from the virus and return to some semblance of normality in our daily lives at some point in 2021.

We just need to be patient a little longer and, even though we are still battling the Coronavirus, we should follow the latest Government guidelines relating to social distancing, hygiene and other protection measures for the benefit of local community health.

While we can clearly see a light at the end of the tunnel now as a result of the introduction of effective vaccines, we’re not quite there yet and all we need to do our part to keep everyone safe and prevent COVID-19 case numbers from rising further.

On a positive note, the New Year traditionally denotes a new start – an opportunity to begin afresh and strive to do even better. For me personally this is an exciting time, as I look forward with expectancy and anticipation to what 2021 has to offer our wonderful town.

While the first part of the year is likely to still be rocky due to the pandemic and restrictions in place, I am looking forward avidly to the remaining few months in my term of office as Town Mayor and Chairman of the Town Council. I feel honoured to serve and represent the people of Hailsham and look forward to getting out and about, and meeting you all at future civic engagements, when restrictions are eased.

I will continue to raise the profile of local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations in Hailsham as much as possible, all of which work selflessly to help others and make individuals’ lives just that much better and brighter. I am sure that the warm-hearted and generous people of our town will continue to come together and support those most in need during 2021.

The Town Council is again this year working towards finding ways to carry out our activities and make frontline operations as efficient as possible. Like many town and parish councils across the country we are committed to providing value for money.

We all know times are tough at present, and in the coming year we may face some difficult decisions on how to balance providing essential quality services with ever-decreasing budgets. The way the Town Council operates will continue to transform.

However, whatever the future holds, I can guarantee the residents this. My New Year’s resolution, and the Town Council’s, is to have a renewed determination to work hard for the residents and the wider community of Hailsham.

On behalf of the Mayoress Barbara and myself, may we wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. Whatever your aspirations may be, go forward with determination and you will be rewarded by your own efforts in 2021.

Thank you and stay safe.”

Cllr Paul Holbrook

Town Mayor & Chairman, Hailsham Town Council


Enquiries relating to this media release

Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk