Wishing you and yours a truly wonderful Christmas…

This is my last blog before the Christmas break, and just ahead of the festivities and some precious time with our loved ones, I wanted to reflect a little on the year we’ve experienced.

In many respects it has been a truly tough, challenging and totally unexpected 12 months.
The first weekend in March we were hit with the Beast from the East bringing heavy snowfall that brought the A303 to a grinding halt leaving hundreds stranded overnight in their cars and others unable to leave their homes due to such severe conditions. 

Then on that same weekend of such extreme weather the nerve agent incident in Salisbury occurred and we encountered the most surreal experience of seeing our usually quiet city become the lead news story all over the world.

Where once Salisbury was famous for its glorious cathedral, ancient lanes and quaint shopping quarters – now its name was synonymous with spies, nerve agent and diplomatic intrigue.

Then in June, just as we thought we were heading back towards normality in the city, the second incident in Amesbury hit.

This time we moved from spies and intrigue to the sad and tragic death of one of our community; Dawn Sturgess. 

What followed was a time when the cohesion of the local communities directly affected by these incidents was tested. And, how they stood up and responded.

They endured. They worked together. They got through it. They were stoic. 

The shared values of community, cooperation and caring for others emerged in their true colours.

At the end of another year, it’s always rewarding to reflect and to count your blessings.

We are lucky to live in Wiltshire. It is a peaceful, prosperous and pleasant part of the world – and its communities know how to manage a crisis – even one that’s the most unpredictable and surreal. 

For that we should be thankful, reassured and blessed.

As slowly normality returns and life rebuilds following the crisis and tragedy in South Wiltshire, we can rest in the knowledge that we have gained. In spirit, in our support for others, and in our determination to get our city and town back. 

And, most importantly in our focus and belief that there is a positive future.

May I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas, and a more peaceful 2019!