Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb!

Yes, it's that time of year again when everyone seems to make predictions about and resolutions for the New Year. Nothing earth-shattering from me. I'm just going to take it one day at a time and focus on the simple pleasures of life.

I suppose, as we say goodbye to 2024, we can take some comfort that we saw the back of the Tory pack of scoundrels after we faced arguably the most important election for a generation. So take heart my friends. Push those shoulders back, lift those chins high and steady your hands for this is no time to lose your nerve. There is still plenty of work to be done and battles to be fought, for faint hearts and weak minds will never win the day. Please, please, please, Keir, resolve for 2025 to enthuse us with your vision and leave the moaning about the Tories and fiscal hardship to others. So, as we enter 2025 together remember....

''There may be troubles ahead
But as long. as there is music and moonlight and love and romance
Lets face those troubles and dance".

But we should not forget what is going on elsewhere in the world. We are not alone in facing huge issues and, compared with many, many (most?) others, our trials and tribulations are insignificant. Notwithstanding all of our local doom and gloom, there will be many good things about 2025 that we should not lose sight of. Here are a few from me: add your own to the list.

* The sun will rise and set every day.
* Most people will eat, laugh and love more than they are hungry, cry and hate.
* The natural world around us will continue to provide immense pleasure to those who take time to experience it.
* Many people will practice, and others receive, unsolicited random acts of kindness.
* Communities and organisations will continue to work together and make the lives of many immeasurably better.
* Most of us will continue to relish the companionship and support of our network of family and friends.
* Children will be born and received into the arms of loving parents.
* Most of us will still be around this time next year.
* Healthcare professionals will successfully treat millions of us for a wide variety of illnesses and diseases.
* Other public service professionals and employees will continue to keep us safe and contribute to our good standard standard of living.

Each of us can accomplish something worthwhile in 2025: let's resolve to give it a go. Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb!