It’s practically Christmas Day and another year has flown by. There have, of course, been highs and lows. The spectre of HS2 continues to haunt, in spite of the best efforts of local residents and campaign groups but I plan to continue the fight in the New Year.

There have been smaller but no less important campaigns against new developments that have been of concern to local residents, and against the increasingly popular trend of attempting to erect a windfarm on any acre of land not already blighted by one.

And then, of course, there have been my regular meetings with constituents, either in one of my surgeries or at public meetings. Meanwhile, the continuing enthusiasm of certain developers to try to build solar farms, wind farms, incinerators has kept both me and local campaigning groups busy in our attempts to oppose them.

It has been challenging, granted, but I continue to regard representing the area as both a great and enjoyable honour, and I am looking forward to continuing to do so once the festive period is over.

Until then, I plan to spend a relaxing few days with my wife and family. May I take this opportunity to wish readers all the best for a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.