Sir Alan Beith: Christmas message
At Christmas most people look back on the year that has passed, enjoy a festive break, and look forward to a new year.
The past year has been an exceptional one, with the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympics really catching the imagination and bringing out the best in local communities.
For a lot of people it has not been an easy year, with pay frozen, energy costs going up, and services having to be reduced in the continuing battle to cut Britain’s debts.
But tax on low pay has been cut, the 3p petrol tax increase has been stopped, pensioners have had the biggest ever rise and there are more apprenticeships and new jobs.
We will need to keep up the fight to dual the A1, particularly now that ministers are admitting that it is an important issue, and I am determined to see early progress not only on this but also on expanding high-speed broadband which is so important to rural businesses, also to see maternity provision restored in Berwick, and to get greater further education opportunities in our area.
At this Christmas time our hearts go out to the families in Newtown, Connecticut, devastated by the slaughter of so many children and their teachers.
Christmas is a time for families, when we remember the family in which Jesus was born and, if we can, we bring our own families together to celebrate.
I wish all Advertiser readers a Happy Christmas and New Year.
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Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 3 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: North
