Sitting down to write this Christmas message gives me time to reflect on 2015. It has been a year of challenges and a year of success, a year of sadness and a year of joy. Tragedies around the world have made me truly grateful to live in our wonderful country, protected by our armed forces, security agencies and emergency services and supported by family and friends.
I was incredibly grateful to be returned as MP for Tatton in May's General Election; the support of my constituents is not something I will ever take for granted. As I have said before, I represent all of my constituents, not just the ones who voted for me, and will continue to work hard to make Cheshire an even better place to live.
The Wilmslow area continues to attract visitors from across the country and I was delighted to announce a £3.9 million Heritage Lottery grant for Quarry Bank Mill. We are so lucky to have one of the country's most important industrial heritage sites in our area and the grant will open even more of this unique community to the public.
After so many years of waiting, work on the A555 Airport Link Road continues. Education is a top priority for me and I was particularly interested to join pupils from Dean Oaks School for new first aid training and welcome them to Downing Street. Voluntary organisations and charities have continued to perform crucial work across our region, with a special mention to the volunteers I met at the Cancer Research and Combined Charities Christmas shops.
The wonderful Stolen Lamb restaurant came down to London to promote food for our national Small Business Saturday event in the heart of the Treasury and local businesswoman Bex Hassett brought Bexyboo cards to represent Mere.The Incredible Edible and Wilmslow in Bloom teams also brought a cabinet full of awards home to the town. Cheshire continues to offer opportunities for our more vulnerable residents; The Clink restaurant at HMP Styal provides prisoners with the skills they need to move into work upon release, greatly reducing reoffending rates.
I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Tatton MP George Osborne.
