Welcome to the latest column from Whitchurch’s town mayor, Councillor Tony Neville…

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for coming to the Christmas lights switch-on event, we hope you had a great time.

Our town council team did a great job in putting on another splendid show, including new lights tree-wrapped in the Bullring and, in addition, new lights on the tree near the bus station and Mill Street. Santa sent some fairies to Whitchurch and has let us know their names and door numbers, but we still don’t know where they are living.

Can you help? If so, please pop along to the Civic Centre and pick up the list of names and see if you can find them all for us, then drop the completed forms off at the Community Hub by Thursday, December 21 with your name and phone number.

The first two completed lists drawn out of a hat will win a prize and we will call you on Friday, December 22 to let you know.

Once again congratulations to the council’s Citizen of the Year, Rose Snell. We enjoyed an afternoon tea prior to switching on the Christmas lights and I look forward to working with Rose throughout her coming Citizen of the Year functions.

Our staff at the Civic Centre have also been busy raising money for Save the Children Fund. On Friday, December 15 they all took part in a sponsored cycle ride, with an exercise bike kindly donated for the occasion from Bodytech.

Everyone looked resplendent in their Christmas jumpers and it was great to see the Friday Market folk get involved too.

Just to let everyone know the last market for 2017 will be on Friday, December 22 in the market hall and outside the Civic Centre. So pop in and pick up your fresh meat and eggs, fruit and veg, bread, Christmas cards and wrapping paper, cakes, jam and pickles as well as Christmas wreaths, poinsettia and presents – why not enjoy a cuppa with your friends while you’re there and be sure to say hello to me.

At the last Makers’ Market, the Whitchurch Town Band played some great Christmas tunes, unfortunately they had to cancel their Christmas show on December 10 due to the snow. But watch out for them at the Civic Centre and Jubilee Park in 2018, I am sure there will be more shows.

Come and join us at the Civic Centre New Year’s Eve Party. The Review are playing, along with The Andy Hall Big Show. Tickets are on sale at the Community Hub in the Civic Centre £15 in advance, or just give us a call, we now take all credit and debit cards to make payments easier.

Come and join us to see out the old and bring in the New Year in style – all with a free glass of fizz to toast at midnight. Over 18s only please.

The New Year’s Day Horse Parade, in association with the British Driving Society (Whitchurch Area), will arrive in the town centre at approximately 1pm on Monday, January 1 2018.

The parade will set off from The Raven at Prees Heath at 12.30pm. The horse carriages and their drivers will be received by myself and fellow Town Councillors outside the Civic Centre at 1pm.

I will be handing out the brasses and rosettes to the riders, including a trophy for the best dressed horse and carriage of the day. Come along and join us for this great New Year tradition.

On behalf of Whitchurch Town Council, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.