What a year this has been. I’m talking Maryport here, not international or even national news events.

Maryport residents will know something of what your town council has been involved in to bring our community together – young and old.

I am proud to say we have two of the hardest working town clerks with a work ethic second to none. A wonderful asset to all the mayoral events, their aim has been to bring maximum enjoyment to the majority of people possible.

We have had events such as an Easter egg hunt, a town summer fun day when everything for local children was free, and a gala day, when even the gale force winds and rain could not dampen the spirits of the committee or the attendees.

We are very much involved with the schools partnership with which at least nine local schools are involved, including Netherhall. All of them joining in enthusiastically and cohesively with their peers at events such as the Great School Bakeoff, Rock Challenge (won by Maryport Junior School in our region) and of course the Armistice Day service held in St Mary’s Church with the students all playing a major role in the honouring of our war dead.

Add to this the fantastic major events such as the honouring of our local Paralympian Simon Lawson, who was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic community response to his efforts in Rio.

I’ve had the honour of representing Maryport on many occasions, met the Duke of Gloucester who came to see Camp Farm, was asked by Lidl to open their new store in the town, and saw the town win a silver medal in the Cumbria in Bloom competition and have a fabulous lights switch on at Christmas.

It's been a great year for Maryport and we wish you all a fabulous 2017.