Convener’s Christmas Message 2024

Christmas is celebrated in many ways, but above all it is about spending quality time together with loved ones during the holiday season. It is also a time to rekindle relationships we have with our family and friends both at home and further afield. 

Christmas is very much part of the journey of life - a particularly special and exciting time for families with a focus on our young people, where we share time together and exchange gifts to express our love and friendships. It is also a time to cherish the memory of those   who are sadly no longer with us and remember with fondness the joy and happiness they gave. 

Here in Orkney, there will be many who continue to work through the holiday period making sure we are all safe, healthy and supported. I extend our community thanks to those of you providing frontline and essential services throughout the break to ensure Orkney can celebrate the festivities without disruption. 

It is also a time to show appreciation to the many volunteer helpers and charities who offer their time to care and support others, and I also encourage you to extend a hand and offer   what you can for someone less fortunate, whether a friend, family member, neighbour or stranger. Each one of us has the capacity to make a positive change. 

It would be remiss of me not to look outward and reflect on the communities across the globe, who are caught up in extreme poverty and suffering from wars and oppressive governance and disasters, whether man-made, or as a result of the natural environment. 

These horrific and challenging situations seem much closer now, but thankfully Orkney is still protected from the devastation of such events. Let us focus our thoughts at this time for the millions of people - many of whom are children - who are caught up in these desperate situations. 

As we seek politicians to promote peace across the world, let us show by example by being kind, by caring, by forgiving and having respect for our own differences. Let us celebrate the richness of what we have here in Orkney and be thankful that our communities show tolerance, respect and a willingness to support others who are less fortunate. 

Communities have joined together over the past month celebrating Christmas tree lighting events and I had the honour again this year of hosting the traditional Kirkwall celebration at St Magnus Cathedral. It was wonderful to see folk of all ages come together to kick start the festivities and I, again, thank our Norwegian friends who play a significant part in this event through their presence, participation and the gift of a tree. 

So, as we head towards Christmas, no matter how challenging life may seem, there can be a promising future. This is a time to relax and reflect, enjoy the festivities and be reassured and supported in the belief that there is always hope as we move into 2025 that anything is possible in an atmosphere of peace, forgiveness and kindness. 

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year ahead.