The new Chairman of Maldon District Council, Independent Councillor Mark Heard, is writing regular column pieces to keep in touch with residents. Here we have his latest message.

Amid all the turmoil reported with Covid-19, Tier 4 restrictions, flooding, Brexit and rumours over food shortages, etc., it could be very easy to form a negative view of life these days.

This is not to take anything away from the personal losses felt

where friends and relatives have sadly become a victim of this awful disease; every loss is heart-breaking.

But I also wanted to share with you some recent GOOD news stories that came to my attention.

Hopefully you may remember a week or so ago that I informed you that our Princes Road offices is being used as a vaccination centre for Longfields, Blackwater and Tollesbury patients, and this has become a very smooth operation.

Our regular council services continue to be provided quietly and assuredly in the background and this is also true of our county, town and parish councils, too, who have adapted to new working procedures. Also, there has been more than adequate amounts of food in all the shops, but I was greatly encouraged to read of a dad's joy to hear his nine-year-old autistic son utter his first ever words, a charity where festive

dinners were provided for lonely villagers, food parcels being distributed by local charities, a donation made from a large supermarket towards helping those amongst us facing loneliness and isolation - even Government funding found for Burnham's fantastic Rio Cinema.

Voluntary work, kindness and consideration to each other together with the great British determination are all things that are beginning to get more than a foothold on that dreadfully overused term we use these days 'The New Normal'.

I'm sure that like you, I crave a return to 'Normal' – carefree family contact, an embrace, friendly handshake or even just a carefree chat over a cup of coffee – but doing the good things that we are doing now - gives us the spirit, strength and character to 'Carry on' as we always do in the face of adversity.

We have all faced difficult times recently (sadly – some more than others) but 2020 has been a very small part of our entire lives and as we had good times before - we will again.

So, I wanted to end by looking at some good news for the residents of this district. Take heart in all that's good and help out where you can to keep Covid away from our friends and relatives.

As always stay safe, take care and let's all keep our chins up!

Councillor Mark Heard, Chairman of Maldon District Council.