Chairman of Ryedale District Council Coun Robert Wainwright

We all hope that the foot and mouth crisis is now over and that our communities can enjoy the freedom and way of life we had been accustomed to accept. The district's leading economies of farming and tourism will have the support of Ryedale District Council to ensure the continuing viability of the businesses that are most suffering hardship. With this in mind, we have joined with other Yorkshire Tourism Associations to promote our area as a major visitor attraction.

Most of the areas devastated by last year's floods have returned to normal; unfortunately, the promised flood defences have not been completed. Let us hope and pray for a dry winter.

Ryedale District Council is exploring new avenues of partnerships to attract external funding, which will assist in improving the economic and social well being of the people it serves. With this in mind, I wish you all a Happy New Year. May 2002 bring with it peace, prosperity and happiness for us all.

Updated: 11:24 Thursday, December 27, 2001