Key figures’ New Year’s messages

• LEE BOSWELL, Letchworth GC town centre manager

2011 saw records broken, bunting flying, a massive robot stalking the streets, and Rudolph and Santa paying a visit to Leys Square. It’s been an amazing year for Letchworth Town Centre with footfall records broken twice, once for June’s brilliant Street Fest, and more recently for the Christmas Lights Switch On. Our events have helped create vibrancy in a town that has been knocked by the difficult economic climate.

With The Wynd’s regeneration complete, boutique style shopping arrived in Letchworth GC, while the opening of the Green House Community Market offered shoppers an opportunity to buy vintage, pre-loved and hand crafted items. A flurry of new and exciting retailers have opened their doors in recent months suggesting signs of a recovery.

2012 is going to be a massive year for town centre events, with the London Olympics to celebrate as well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. The hugely successful Letchworth Festival returns for two weeks in June with Street Fest due to kick it all off in style on June 9.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the town in 2011 by coming to our events and shopping locally. Let’s make 2012 another year to remember.

• MURRAY FASTIER, Baldock town centre manager

Baldock Town Partnership would like to wish everyone a fantastic festive period, and let’s all work together to make 2012 as prosperous and enjoyable as possible.

There will be loads of great community events and celebrations in Baldock throughout the coming year, which will ensure Baldock remains a wonderful place to live, work and play.

• KEITH HOSKINS, Hitchin town centre manager

I’m saying farewell to 2011 with mixed emotions as it has been a real rollercoaster of a year! The economic malaise has dominated the media, fuelling a general air of despondency. In Hitchin, everyone has worked really hard to keep the place buzzing with some notable successes – Fashion Show, Creative Kitchen, Hitchin Festival, and other projects.

My wish for 2012 is more of that community effort; some progress please on Churchgate; a good news announcement on the Town Hall; a successful Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Festival and Olympics events in town.

In the meantime, very best wishes to everyone for 2012 – may it be nowhere near as gloomy as the pundits predict.

• CLLR LYNDA NEEDHAM, leader of NHDC

To all North Herts residents, happy New Year!

It promises to be an exciting one in North Hertfordshire with Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the Olympic torch relay passing through the district, celebrations to mark the 850 year anniversary of the founding of the Royston Priory, and the re-opening of the revitalised Howard Park in spring.

I hope that as many residents as possible are able to join in with these events and the many others throughout the district over the next 12 months. Meanwhile, I wish everyone all the best for 2012.

• CLLR SHARON TAYLOR, leader of SBC

I know that for many people in Stevenage 2011 has been a difficult year. With our partners on the Stevenage Economy Task Force we have been able to monitor what is happening with jobs, housing and debt levels, and together take action speedily to help when we can.

Our community continues to show its strength, and how caring and compassionate Stevenage people are. I was so proud to present the Pride of Stevenage Awards in October, with so many stories of people going the extra mile for others.

In the straitened times we face, people have told me how much they value being able to use our lovely open spaces in Stevenage. We opened the beautifully restored Town Centre Gardens in the summer and the new gardens and Fairlands Valley Park won prestigious Green Flag awards.

There is a lot to look forward to in 2012. Early in the new year we will see the long- awaited plans for the new town centre, then in the summer we have the Olympic Torch Relay and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, which I know will show Stevenage at its best.

Thank you for your support during this year, and I wish everyone a peaceful and happy 2012.