Oswestry’s Mayor, Councillor John Price, has delivered his Christmas message as below:

“I would firstly like to take the time to thank everyone for the kindness and hospitality that I have been shown as I fulfil my mayoral duties.

“Being mayor of this wonderful town and representing it, is a huge honour for me and both a privilege and a humbling experience.

“I have the upmost respect for those of you who give their time, energy and money to help others less fortunate than themselves. You offer friendship, companionship and communication to those who need it the most – especially to those who are lonely.

“There are nine million lonely people in the UK and four million of them are older people. Many older people find constant loneliness hardest to overcome. They lack the friendship and support we all need. I see this on a daily basis as I drive my bus around the town.

“So, this Christmas I want to use my message to ask you to take a break from your hectic lives and social media. To talk more to your friends, to your family and to your neighbours. Small moments matter and improve our emotional well-being and our mental health.

“Many people ask me “what is Oswestry’s unique selling point? Is it the park or its events, or perhaps some of its historic buildings?” I tell them it’s the people.

“And to the people of the town of Oswestry my sincerest Christmas greetings.”