The Radstock Mayor writes:

These last few days have witnessed some extremely cold temperatures and I am relieved that the central heating worked without mishap.

In other respects these same days have brought multiple bereavements to my family and me. My elder brother yielded his spirit, having stoically endured Parkinson's disease for twenty-three years. His subsequent cancer was very testing for him. Nevertheless, as a composer of music, he produced some of his finest works in the last few years as he battled with his illness.

So also Dr Malcolm Hill, such undiluted talent. I worked with him in Bath for fourteen years and will always be grateful for the musical knowledge he imparted.

And then there was Bath businessman and politician, Peter Downey. Peter had this idea of linking Bath with Bethlehem, with the idea of improving the lot of the many impoverished artisans and farmers, victims of an uncaring regime. I went with him to Palestine to look at an organic approach to fruit production -but that's another story.

More locally the town celebrated the coming of Christmas with the switching on of the Christmas lights. In recognition of their services to Radstock's Making a Difference Award, David and Jackie Chalk were invited to do the honours and the Christmas tree looked spectacular with its many twinkling lights.

It made me feel, after the bereavements mentioned that life goes on and that joy exists even in the depths of winter.