THE Mayor of Wyre, Councillor Harry Taylor, has sent this festive message to Citizen readers.

This time of year is always one both for reflection and looking ahead.

It has been an extremely busy and exciting year, bringing unforgettable moments as well as a whole barrel of laughs and a few tears.

I have had great pleasure and feel extremely privileged to have met so many dedicated members of the community who work so hard in so many ways - raising money for so many activities, others who work to enhance our environment and the quality of life for us all, and the volunteers who lead the very many youth organisations, teaching our young people good citizenship, self respect and regard for all creatures, human and animal.

I have found it is especially rewarding to meet many of Wyre's young people.

Their enthusiasm, vitality, zest for life and thirst for knowledge provides a real tonic for us all. They are a credit to themselves, their parents, their organisations and the Borough as a whole. Of particular importance is the Life Education Centre Programme which uses mobile units containing state-of-the-art videos and equipment to teach and show primary school children the dangers of drug, alcohol and cigarette abuse, how these progressively affect their brain and body and how to say NO to peer pressure.

As there is a cost involved, and school budgets cannot stretch to meet it, my promise for 2000 is to work to attract sponsorship to allow this vitally important programme to be extended to primary schools throughout the Borough of Wyre.

Through the Citizen may I extend the warmest of good wishes for Christmas and the forthcoming Millennium New Year to all your readers, and hope that the dawn of a new century brings peace, goodwill, health and happiness to each and everyone.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.