IanAs 2021 comes to a close, I have been thinking back on a year that seems to have flown by! We continue with the restrictions around Covid but on the whole everyone seems to be handling it very well. I was in the crescent just yesterday and most people were wearing masks, everyone was in the shops. In fact I was chatting to one lady (socially distanced of course) about how masks keep your face warm on a cold day, while we were in the outside queue for the Chemist.
While we were not able, as an association, to run BareFest this year, we were able to have Christmas on the Crescent. We majored on that, managing to get the road closure and even the weather was relatively kind. This would not have been possible without a really good increase in membership. We cannot run any events without membership and we are very grateful to you all.
During the year, our businesses, both on and off the Crescent, have been providing services to us all just as they have throughout the pandemic. We are so lucky to have these businesses local to us and to see our community benefitting from their hard work! We can only hope that the situation improves soon for our businesses and community in general.
Sadly we lost our local councillor, Stephie Barber, this year. She was a stalwart of the BCA and always attended meetings and had a great input. I can only hope that our new local councillor, Gerry Blaikie, will be as visible.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank 2 people in particular. Firstly, I would like to thank our treasurer Richard Craig for his splendid control of our finances this year as always. Secondly I would like to give a special vote of thanks to our secretary, Marisa Seddon. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that without Marisa, the association would not achieve anywhere near what it does. From producing a fabulous newsletter available to all members every month, full of information and local history, to running the BCA FaceBook group, organising Christmas trees, running events and much much more. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the work she does.
It just remains for me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy (and healthy) New Year. We have a wonderful, caring community and let’s look after each other.
Ian
