WITH the hard work and anticipation finally over and Christmas Eve finally here The Chronicle has invited leading figures in the Abergavenny area to send their seasonal messages to readers

CANON MARK SOADY

This year we marked the centenary of the great Battle of Mons that took so many lives from this corner of the Kingdom, part of the War that was to end all wars, yet here we are at the end of 2015 still putting down conflicts.

As we sing this Christmastide ’Away in a Manger, no crib for a bed’... let us remember that history is so tragically repeating itself 2,000 years later as the conflict in Syria has resulted in many babies and their families having to flee their homes and have no where to lay their heads.

For remember at the heart of the Christmas story is a refugee family (Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus) fleeing from a tyrannical ruler (King Herod).

This Autumn the Anglican Churches in Abergavenny through Embrace the Middle East purchased 67 mattresses for those refugees currently living in Lebanon - a small drop in the ocean of the 1.1 million Syrian refugees now in that country.

So as we give thanks for the coming of Christ 2,000 years ago let us pray he will come again and then all people will know true peace in their lives.

Meanwhile as we celebrate this Christmas let us commit to doing our little bit to bring peace where there is hatred and shine a ray of happiness in to the dark corners of the world. Have a blessed Christmas!

COUNCILLOR MAUREEN POWELL MAYOR OF ABERGAVENNY

IN May 2015 I?began my year as Mayor of Abergavenny. It was a great honour to be chosen by my fellow councillors for this responsible post. I am very proud of our town and looked forward to serving the residents of Abergavenny to the best of my ability

The year started hopefully with many interesting and enjoyable functions and events to attend.

However as the autumn came we are hearing every day of the tragedies happening throughout the world as terrorists spread their fear and murderous acts, regardless of who was in their way.

Fortunately the people of Wales and the rest of Great Britain will now be cowed and made miserable by the worrying news. We will look forward with hope and steadfastly go about our normal lives as well as we can.

When I had the pleasant task of turning on the town’s Christmas lights I was so happy to see the smiles of all the children and their families as we were treated by the Rock Choir to a joyful presentation of their music. Then we all joined in with all the carols as Father and Mother Christmas joined me on the platform. The atmosphere was so special and brought a lift to everyone whatever their circumstances.

Since then I have attended may different carol services and concerts, which not only gave much pleasure but created a feeling of warmth and sincerity.

We are so fortunate in our town and surrounding are to have an abundance of talent from the youngest to the oldest. The smallest children were among the primary schools’ choir with their excellent performance at my chairity concert at St Mary’s to the mellow voice of one of our stalwarts - John Games of the Phoenix Singers who brought lumps to our throats as he sang ‘Bless this House’ in Govilon Chapel.

At this time, we think of the service men and women who are serving abroad to help keep our country safe and we pray for them and wish them as happy a Christmas as is possible.

We also think of those who will be spending Christmas without their loved ones and sometime alone. I want to wish everyone happiness at Christmas and throughout the coming year.

Let us go forward into 2016 with our heads held high and with a smile on our faces and strive to make it a good year.

With the National Eisteddfod coming to Abergavenny next summer we will have ample opportunities to show everyone that Abergavenny is indeed a wonderful town.