2021 has been another difficult year. Early hopes of overcoming Covid have left us, and did not come into fruition. Covid continues to cause both tragedy and concern, but at this time of year in particular we must offer our thanks to many people who have worked very hard to minimise the impact of Covid as much as possible, including our NHS staff and care workers.

We must also than those work in our emergency services, our police officers, paramedics, and fire and rescue workers, as well as dedicated volunteers in our communities. They are the ones who bind Rochdale and our wider society together. But to everyone, wherever you are, I wish you all the best wishes for Christmas, and a better and peaceful New Year.

This was originally published on the Rochdale Online website in December 2021