I WOULD like to take this opportunity through your paper to express my heartfelt thanks to all the people of Stratford and the surrounding villages for their friendship, courtesy and support during my Mayoralty.

Stratford is a very special and unique place; this was very apparent during my trip to Hong Kong and China last week, where everybody had heard of Shakespeare and our town holding it in high regard.

The people of Stratford provide a warmth and openness to everybody who has contact with them and it has been my honour, privilege and pleasure to serve my town and I sincerely hope that during my year I have not let anybody down in any way.

I look forward to continuing my contact with the groups and organisations I have been involved with in the future and progress with my work for the town and the people with my position as town and district councillor.

With all the new initiatives started last year by the town council committees you all should see some results in the near future bringing even more benefits and opportunities to our town.

Again all I can say is a very big thank you to all of you and wish Sheila and Norman Price a very happy year ahead.

JULIET SHORT, Maidenhead Road, Stratford.