Adrian Winn, Clinical Operations Manager at South East Coast Ambulance Service, said: “As I’m sure you can imagine Christmas is always a very busy time of year for all our staff, both in our control rooms and my local teams out on the road. On behalf of all of my colleagues I’d like to wish the Elmbridge Guardian readers a very happy and safe Christmas.

“All of us here usually end up working at some point over the Christmas period. The service we provide is obviously 24/7, 365 days a year. That said, it’s always a good atmosphere and the teams often cook a Christmas dinner of sorts and then grab a bite to eat when they can throughout the day.

“We’re always extremely proud of all our staff and the dedication they show at such a busy time of year. The public can help us by being sensible and knowing their limits if drinking alcohol when they’re out, looking out for friends and family, especially the old or vulnerable and wrapping up warm.

“Merry Christmas on behalf of everyone at Secamb.”

 

Allan Winn, director of Brooklands Museum, said: “2013 has been a fantastic year at Brooklands. Our visitor numbers grew by 16 per cent overall, and we had record attendances at most of our big events – despite sometimes-hostile weather.

“We acquired two fabulous new aircraft for our collection (the last Vickers VC10 built, now maintained in “live” condition at Dunsfold, and a wonderful newly-built replica of the 1913 Sopwith Tabloid racing seaplane), and we celebrated the centenary of the first time that any human being, anywhere, had travelled 100 miles in an hour.

“We put more than 12,000 schoolchildren through formal learning visits, and a record 40,000+ people through the Brooklands Concorde Experience. I would like to thank everybody who helped make this record year happen, in particular our 750 volunteers and the public who continue to support our activities so generously.”

 

Nicki Shaw, Chief executive of Princess Alice Hospice, said: “Christmas is such a special time for us all, when we share it with loved ones, but it can also be incredibly poignant as we think of those no longer with us.

“We are conscious that for some of our patients this may be their last Christmas and we will be working hard to make it as special for them as we can.

“Thank you to all our friends and supporters who have allowed us to continue to offer care and support for our patients and their loved ones throughout the year. We wish you a Merry Christmas.”

 

David Tipping, vice-chairman of Cobham Conservation and Heritage Trust, said: “Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations.

“In March 2005 a small group of Cobham residents got together, concerned about the future of the town and the erosion of our local heritage and our beautiful surrounding area.

"A public meeting was organised at St Andrew’s Church, and a surprising number of people – more than 500, with the same concerns turned up, and from that first meeting the Cobham Conservation & Heritage Trust was born.

"Today more than 1,100 members still express their feelings, with the overwhelming majority keen to ensure that we retain community life and keep Cobham a pleasant place to live, work and shop.

“Sadly we live with the ever present threat to the High Street, and the potential loss of our greenbelt land. As we move to a new year we must remain vigilant and ensure that the heritage we leave to future generations is one they can be proud of. Merry Christmas.”