The beginning of the year is time to look forward to what it might bring us and I am confident that this year, as in the past few years will see the continuation of the regeneration of Yarmouth, but first it is a time for my reflections of some of the events of 2007. The success of the year has to be the start of the Outer Harbour -  after many years of meetings and negotiations we finally saw the start of this exciting project, some said it will never happen, well it has!  The  pride I felt  presenting over 80 constituents with their Veteran’s Badges. It was indeed a humble experience for me to be able to personally present each veteran with this badge. Many others could not attend the event but I am hopeful with a considerable number of others applying for the badge that another event will be held this year.  

The disappointment with the defeat in the House of Lords by just three votes the decision to allow new casinos to be the cornerstone for regeneration in many areas of the country. Great Yarmouth  was one resort that would have benefited from this Bill, bringing the expected boost to the tourism and leisure industry However is anticipated that a Bill will return early this year with the expectation  that it will be passed.  

The hope with the announcement that the Highway’s Agency had accepted my request for a trial movement of the dykes away from the roadside of the Acle Straight  to prove the case the flora and fauna will re-establish, with the hope that all  the dykes will be moved away from the road in the future.  

The sadness of the untimely death of former Mayor and Labour councilor Sue Robinson – everyone had taken Sue to their hearts and she was a credit to the borough not only as Mayor but over the years that she represented her community on the council.  

Now looking forward to the year ahead. The Harbour should be completed and the decision on the siting of the third river crossing should be made. This project coupled with the opportunity of a new casino with the associated regeneration will give much needed new employment opportunities.  

Just briefly;  during December there was a mixed bag of events that I attended starting with the 25^th anniversary celebration of the Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services ( NWES).  This was a truly remarkable occasion and I can remember this starting in 1982 with Mr Jennings at the helm and it was good to see him at the event -congratulations to all NWES with all their successes of the past and I look forward to the continued success in the future. My next event was to attend the exhibition at the Time and Tide Museum looking back at the memories of people of Yarmouth over the past 60 years. It certainly complimented the Time and Tide Museum and brought many memories back to me.  

In London I attended the annual tourism dinner and was pleased to see representatives from Great Yarmouth  there. It is clear that whilst there are most certainly challenges ahead to the industry there is no doubt there are also many opportunities and with recent investment in the tourism sector and more to come in 2008, Great Yarmouth will be leading the way.  

Finally an invitation to the launch of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library was one not to be missed – the concept of providing books on a monthly basis to all children for the first five years of their life is one that has captured the attention of several countries. Having listened to her speak about her charity I am sure many parts of our country will see this as something to seriously consider.