Festive Christmas messages from across the borough

"Without their dedication and hard work, my own role would be so much harder.

"Thanks too to residents for all their thousands of letters, emails, phone calls and for turning up to the public meetings I have tried to hold weekly throughout the constituency. Their continuous, honest feedback has given me the tools I’ve needed to represent residents to the best of my abilities in Parliament.

"Christmas has long been associated with feasting and gift giving, and although it has become increasingly commercialised in recent years, there are many who will not have the comfort of family or shelter, and I know local residents will reach out to them as well.

"May I wish you a very happy Christmas."

Kevin Davis, Kingston Council leader, said: "The central message of Christmas is one of love. In an religious sense it is about God's love for the world but for us today, in Kingston, it is about the love we have for our friends, our family, our neighbours and how we share that with them on Christmas Day.

"Every New Year needs to start with optimism and if I have but one wish it is that in 2015 we could all commit to one act of kindness and compassion to someone we do not know - Kingston cannot easily change the world but we change our borough."

Kate Grimes, Kingston Hospital chief executive, said: "Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year from all at Kingston Hospital.

"It has been a very busy year for the hospital. Our maternity services were given the highest safety rating and we won a national patient safety award for our dementia care.

"The hospital held its first ever open day in June and launched a new pathology service across South West London and we secured £100,000 of Government funding to boost our volunteering services and more recently have launched our dementia fundraising appeal.

"We are all looking forward to 2015."

Bishop of Kingston, the Rt Revd Dr Richard Cheetham, said: "The last year has seen the best and the worst of human life. Back in August we remembered the centenary of the outbreak of the terrible carnage of the First World War, and just days ago came the news of the heinous terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar in Pakistan.

"But we have also had fine examples of the ability to work together for the common good such as the inspiring example of health workers volunteering to go to West Africa to tackle the devastating outbreak of the ebola virus.

"Christmas and the New Year can be times for reflection on our lives. The story of the birth of Jesus in poverty, in an oppressed and occupied land, tells us that God is not aloof from our human lives, but is with us, cares for us and roots for us.

"That love of God can be expressed in and through human lives to build a better world. The deepest happiness comes when we work together and care deeply for our neighbours. As we celebrate Christmas, and look into what 2015 might hold, I hope that the way of love, shown in Jesus, will shape and guide our lives. Then there really will be something to rejoice in! A very happy and joyful Christmas to you all."

Glenn Tunstall, Kingston police borough commander, said: "On behalf of all the staff and police officers at Kingston police station, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the people who live, work or visit the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames a very Merry Christmas and a very prosperous and safe 2015.

"Whilst our festive best wishes are extended to one and all, if you are thinking of committing any crime on our borough during this festive period or into the New Year, we look forward to meeting you and introducing you to our very own 'Scrooge' - otherwise known as the custody sergeant.

"Please remember that your policing team will be working over the Christmas period to keep you safe and I am sure they would welcome your festive messages on our Twitter: @MPSKingston."

Edward Davey, Kingston and Surbiton MP, said: “In wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, I hope your 2014 was as happy as mine when Emily and I were blessed with the birth of our daughter Eleanor: I’ll always be grateful to the wonderful staff at Kingston Hospital’s maternity unit.

“This year has seen real progress in everything from the introduction of free school meals for infants across local schools to many more young people benefitting from Vince Cable’s huge expansion in apprenticeships. Yet there’s plenty of challenges ahead as we continue to tackle the deficit whilst investing in public services so we can have both a stronger economy and a fairer society.”

Angellica Bell, Surrey Comet columnist, said: “This is a special time for Michael and I. It’s a season of celebration and goodwill plus a reminder of all the wonderful local people who have touched our lives over the years. Whether it’s been the maternity staff at Kingston Hospital, the congregation at All Saints church, the team at the Villiers Road recycling plant, doctors, neighbours, friends including all the lovely people who don’t know us but still stop to say hello. This truly is a wonderful community and my family and I wish you all a very Happy Christmas.”

Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge said: "The Christmas season brings a welcome respite at the end of a busy year and, hopefully, enables most of us to get a well-deserved break.

"This is a time for reflecting on the achievements of the past year and contemplating the challenges ahead. Britain has come a long way since the dark days of the economic recession of 2008-2010. Our economy has recovered; nearly 2m new jobs have been created and Britain now has the fastest growth rate of any large western economy. Next year, economists expect wages to begin rising again while inflation remains low, meaning that people will at last start to feel better off.

"The repairing of our public finances is well underway, but the job is not yet finished. So the report card at the year end reads 'good progress made; sustained effort needed in 2015 to reap the full benefits of recovery'.

"With that thought in mind, I wish all my constituents in Runnymede and Weybridge a very happy and peaceful Christmas."

Councillor John O'Reilly, Elmbridge Council leader, said: "I would like to extend best wishes all to Elmbridge residents for a very Merry Christmas and that 2015 will be a happy, prosperous and successful year.

"This year has again brought its fair share of challenges for our Borough even as the national economy at long last appears to be recovering but 2015 will likely be another tough year for many. Elmbridge continues to hold its own, deserving its place as amongst the best places to live, and we shall continue to strive to make it even better in the years ahead.

"As we settle down to enjoy Christmas festivities with families and friends, let’s also remember those who will be working to look after the vulnerable or the lonely in our communities.

"By the way, don’t forget that all our village and town car parks will have no parking charges from December 22 to Boxing Day inclusive, so even more incentive to shop local for those presents.."

Sarah Milligan, Elmbridge Neighbourhood Inspector, said: "With the festive period underway and 2015 fast approaching, it’s an opportunity to look back over this year’s highlights.

"It’s good to be able to report that crime is down with 2014 seeing a 15.1 per cent reduction in burglaries, a 14.5 per cent reduction in vehicle crime and an overall decrease of 14.8 per cent in serious acquisitive crime. Additionally, we have seen an 18.1 per cent drop in the number of antisocial behaviour incidents reported across the borough - all of which is good news. However, our focus continues to be directed at a notable increase in violence and plans are in place to target any identified hotspots or repeat offenders.

"Rest assured - the safer neighbourhoods teams will continue to be relentless in their pursuit of those individuals who blight the lives of all who reside and work in the borough. We re-iterate our commitment to the people of Elmbridge and believe that we would not be able to do our job effectively without your support and that of our partners. Have a great Christmas."

David Tipping, vice chairman of Cobham Heritage, said:"My first thought when I was invited to write a few words on 2014 was 'where do I start'?

"Looking back, and writing in my role as vice-chairman of the Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust, this has been a very busy year as we strive to keep Cobham and its environs the pleasant and attractive area it is.

"As ever, we have kept a watchful eye on some worrying planning applications, and have had concerns about the loss of retail shops on our High Street, increase in traffic, plus the threat of development in the greenbelt.

"On the brighter side, in July we welcomed the Countess of Wessex to officially open Riverhill, a visit enjoyed by many people in Cobham. September saw our fantastic Heritage Day bringing the community together.

"There are many organisations in Cobham working for the community, some high profile and some beavering away in the background, and thankfully many people give up their time freely for the benefit of others. To these people we should say a huge thank you for all they do.

"Finally I would like to wish everyone a happy and blessed Christmas."

Adrian Winn, Clinical Operations Manager, South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb), said: "The Christmas period is always a very busy time for the ambulance service and the NHS as a whole. Our ambulance crews out on the road and staff in our control rooms will be working flat out 24/7 to keep people safe.

"I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and urge people to remember that 999 should only be dialled in an emergency. There are a number of alternatives including NHS 111 which can help and offer advice. It’s a good idea for people to also check their medicine cabinets to ensure everything is in date.

"Most of us at Secamb end up working at some point over the Christmas period and it can be hard to juggle with family and friends. That said, it’s always a good atmosphere and the teams often cook a Christmas dinner of sorts and then grab a bite to eat when they can throughout the day.

"We’re very proud of all our staff and the dedication they show at such a busy time of year. Merry Christmas from everyone at Secamb. Enjoy yourselves but be sensible, know your limit if drinking alcohol and look out for friends and family, especially anyone old or vulnerable."

Allan Winn, Brooklands Museum director, said: "Despite the flooding and bad weather at the beginning of the year, 2014 has been a successful one for Brooklands Museum (the biggest museum in Surrey), with visitor numbers well above last year’s. Highlights have included opening the restored Barnes Wallis Stratosphere Chamber and our new 4D Theatre, which features a race experience on a banked track in the Napier-Railton racing car.

"Our special events programme has included our Great War Day, several flying days and some record-breaking motoring days. And we’ve made huge strides in developing our plans and fundraising to transform the Museum with our £7m Lottery-funded Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Race Track Revival project.

"All this progress is thanks in great part to the wonderful support which we receive from the local community, through volunteering, financial support and - most of all - by visiting and using our facilities and we wish a very Happy Christmas to everyone."

Nikki Shaw, chief executive at Princess Alice Hospice, said: "Recently 800 people gathered on a chilly evening at Princess Alice Hospice to mark the beginning of the festive season with our annual Light up a Light remembrance service. 

"The hospice was bathed in light as thousands of bulbs twinkled cheerfully whilst our guests celebrated their loved ones with carols, readings and prayers.

"The service is beautiful, capturing the essence of Christmas since it’s the time of year when we traditionally reflect, celebrate life and think about how our own lives touch others.

"The hospice is very fortunate to have so many wonderful supporters in our local community. Your generosity of spirit has touched the lives of literally thousands of our patients and their loved ones this year, as you’ve given your time freely to volunteer or to raise money for us. 

"We are very grateful for your kindness and humanity and I thank each and every one of you. Wishing you a peaceful and very happy Christmas."