CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM LOCAL MP MUNIRA WILSON
With everything going on in the world at the moment, it’s more important than ever to hold on to the things we can be grateful for and that bring moments of hope and joy into our lives.
For me, one of these things is the wonderful community we have here in Twickenham. Every day, I’m touched by the depth of compassion in our community, and all of the incredible people and organisations who do their best to make life better for others. This is felt all year round, but especially so at Christmas.
This Christmas will be bittersweet for many residents, as we mourn the loss of one of the most beloved pillars of our community, Stuart Sandys of Sandys Fishmongers in Twickenham. The amazing Christmas lights and decorations at Sandys are one of the most wonderful harbingers of the Christmas season, not to mention the delicious food and welcoming smiles that always came from Stuart and his team.
Stuart Sandys truly personified the giving spirit of Christmas and community, through his work with local charities and other local businesses, and his legacy will live on. I know everyone in the community will be thinking of Stuart’s friends, family and co-workers during this difficult time.
As we think about the true meaning of Christmas, of generosity and compassion, I’m grateful to the many churches, food banks, local businesses and charities – assisted by an army of wonderful volunteers – helping those who are struggling this year.
Teddington and Hampton Wick Voluntary Care Group hold a wonderful Christmas event for elderly and disabled residents in the neighbourhood. Teddington Churches Together and Hampton Inspired Hub host lunches for people who are on their own at Christmas, and many residents join in the Mental Elf run in Marble Hill Park in aid of Richmond Borough Mind.
I always look forward to joining other volunteers to wrap presents for young care leavers attending Cocoon’s ‘Care After Care’ Christmas Day lunch, which ensures no young person who grew up in care locally is alone at Christmas.
I’ve soaked up the festive atmosphere and enjoyed mulled wine, twinkling lights, performances, crafts and joyful sing-a-longs at the Hampton Hill Christmas Parade, Teddington Lights Up and the switching on the lights in East Twickenham. Meanwhile, the carol services in Westminster and at our local churches, including St Stephen’s and St Augustine’s, were a joy to attend.
Finally, I popped by to say thank you to the brilliant local posties at Royal Mail’s bustling Teddington Delivery Office. All of the posties in our area work incredibly hard at this time of year to get the Christmas post to its destination – including, of course, the many letters to Father Christmas!
Thank you to each and every one of you for making our community one we can be proud of. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you have a restful holiday and enjoy precious time with your loved ones. Wishing you all the best for a happy Christmas and new year.