ILKLEY Town Mayor, Councillor Mark Stidworthy, has shared his final message of the year.
He said: “Changes to Covid-19 restrictions across the United Kingdom have disrupted already limited opportunities to see friends and family this Christmas. We will feel disappointment, anger, anxiety and other strong emotions intensified at this poignant time of the year. We may be dismayed but I am sure we will not be defeated, nor lightly set aside the high levels of personal responsibility that Ilkley residents have shown throughout this crisis. The virus spreads rapidly if we lower our guard.
“Over the last nine months we showed ourselves to be a resilient, forward-looking, positive community, ready to help our neighbours. We took difficult steps to protect each other and the NHS, and did so with pride, knowing that many in our town and district were working tirelessly to keep us safe. We supported our amazing local businesses through this most difficult of economic times, further clouded by ever-present Brexit uncertainty. We recruited hundreds of volunteers to help with every aspect of the community response, including befriending, visiting, delivering, sewing and helping those who are struggling to feed their families, alongside incredible commitment from local voluntary organisations and Bradford Council. A helpline (01274 431000) remains available for appropriate and confidential help through local networks here in Ilkley.