SIR,
Not withstanding enormous financial constraints, the Christmas parcels in 2009 continued as usual to give added support to their recipients during the Christmas period.
The financial crisis did not deter the wonderful efforts by local charities, namely Monmouth British Legion, Monmouth Rotary Club, Monmouth Lions and the Monmouth Masonic Lodge, in meeting their target number of parcels in the face of added costs.
Ninety Christmas parcels were delivered; up on the 2008 total. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to commend their perseverance and hard work against all odds in maintaining the high standard of their charitable work.
In achieving our goal we must record with sincere gratitude the continued help that the charities have received over many years from our local branch of Waitrose and its staff who gave their time to produce these parcels for our collection each year.
I would also like to pay a very special tribute to Tim Wingrove, latterly the manager of Waitrose Monmouth, for having given his continued help and advice during his time at the store.
On behalf of our town charities I would like to extend to him and his family our very good wishes for their move to Australia.
May I also take this opportunity to extend a very warm welcome to the new manager Caroline Sullivan, on behalf of the town charities.
We sincerely trust that she will be able to continue to assist and guide us in these difficult financial times to continue to perform of Christmas charitable tasks for the 42nd year.
Dr Matharu
(Monmouth)