Time for those new year’s resolutions and around the Island, some people are all prepared.
"I shall generally try to turn over a new leaf, develop good habits and become a better person," says MP Andrew Turner. That’s terrific, Andrew. We must clearly all vote for you. Oh, hold on, there’s a bit more.
"For many of us, these good intentions become a distant memory after a few days, or weeks if we are lucky."
Ah, well. At least he’s honest.
What about council leader David Pugh? "I realised last summer I don’t read books. Since then I’ve read two, and I’m now resolved to read one a month." Very good, David. "And I resolve to focus on regenerating the Island’s economy, particularly in renewable energy."
Jill Wareham, who will represent the LibDems in the forthcoming general election, is also going green. "I shall walk more and use the car less."
If only every candidate would do the same, Jill. We’d see much less of all of you on the doorsteps if you spent your time trudging the Island’s roads.
Now let’s swing left and ask Labour’s Cllr Geoff Lumley. "I shall try harder to make the Tories at County Hall behave like rational human beings." Ooh, that’s not very kind, Geoff, even if it is a jolly good idea. I think we’d better ask the vicar what he has to say.
The Rev Jonathan Redvers Harris, of All Saints’ Church, Ryde, has this piece of advice: "We tend to make petty resolutions. We should try and look at what our callings are and then try to become better mothers, husbands, or whatever we are, and work in a more rounded way of life."
Some people have absolutely no resolve, petty or otherwise. Wightlink’s marketing manager Kerry Jackson says: "I don’t make resolutions. I’m a very boring person." That’s a pity, Kerry. We thought you might resolve to make Wightlink a better ferry company and save us all a load of grief.
On from Wightlink’s boring marketing manager to IW Lord Lieutenant Maj Gen Martin White. As the Queen has made it clear she does not wish to be pestered by the press during the festive season, we will pester her representative instead.
His wife, Fiona, says her personal wish for 2010 is "to bring more troops home safely." Her husband says he’s too busy to make resolutions. Probably taking calls from people who are too timid to ring Her Majesty.
And the final word goes to the Island’s lifestyle guru Amy Willcock. "People need to resolve the life within themselves. We need to be proper people instead of mass consumers. Life isn’t about over-indulgence." Instead, Amy says she intends to bestow metaphorical stardust and glitter on everyone. "I shall be Tinkerbell."
We’ll certainly look forward to that one, Amy. And a happy new year to you all.
Many jam sandwiches among the festive mince pies
A joy as ever to see so many police around over Christmas and the new y ear, not to mention the aggressive publicity which once again tells us the Old Bill is longing to nab us.
If only this massive police presence were as evident when our houses are being burgled, drunken youths are swarming round our streets and drugs being peddled all over the place.
The posters are particularly offensive in giving a message of real unpleasantness at a time when the police need desperately to sharpen up their public relations. And, in reality, they seem to be doing just that. I was recently stopped in my car very late at night (don’t get excited, dear reader, I am not about to be convicted) and the two officers who questioned me were charming, courteous, and not one bit like the Old Bill.
So let’s have a poster campaign in 2010 which reflects co-operation, not enmity, between the public and police.