Ross-on-Wye Mayor Ed O’Driscoll shares his thoughts and reflections on 2022 with Gazette readers.

The apocryphal Chinese curse ‘may you live in interesting times’ feels very appropriate for the last year and I would personally welcome a slow news day for a change. Life has often felt more like an alternative version of the 12 Days of Christmas with ‘Four Chancellors of the Exchequer, Three Prime Ministers, Two Monarchs and One major war in Ukraine’ … when you add to the mix soaring inflation (and the resultant strikes) alongside the threat of food and energy shortages and the rapid impact of the climate crisis it’s tempting to pull the duvet over your head and wish it all away rather than face the problems head on. But face them we must.

With the world so divided it’s more important than ever for us to have a Government and leaders that seek to bring us together rather than drive us apart. It’s the politics of division that’s caused so many of the problems around the world be that Putin’s aggression, Trumps madness or our own Brexit debate. We’re going to have to start listening to each other because as we look forward to 2023 we can hope that things will improve, and I’m sure in some ways they will, but I also believe we have more ‘interesting’ and challenging times ahead.

I’ve been touched by the great work of so many of our community organisations that strive tirelessly to help those most affected by the current situation at a hyperlocal level here in Ross.

The CDT Warm Ross initiative has brought groups and spaces together to offer regular daily opportunities for anybody who’s struggling to keep warm while the Zero Waste Stall, Community Larder and the Larrapurz provide regular opportunities to stock up on food or get a hot meal.

The volunteers who drive these initiatives really are the best of us and deserve our continual thanks and support.

While we cannot make a significant difference to the current global situation (other than via the ballot box at the appropriate time) we can work together to ensure we protect each other and the most vulnerable here in Ross from the worst effects of the current crisis. This might be through volunteering our time, or donating money if we’re lucky enough to be able to afford to help in such a way.

My Mayor’s charity for the year has been Ross CDT (Community Development Trust) and I will be working to raise as much money as I can to help them over the coming months.

If you’re looking for a New Year’s resolution then committing to helping out in your local community a little bit more wouldn’t be a bad place to start

Happy New Year folks, let’s hope I’m wrong and 2023 turns out to be really boring!