Sir.

NOW that we have come through the three storms that have caused a great deal of damage to property and trees, I want to take the opportunity through your publication to express my admiration and thanks to all those who have worked so hard to repair and clean up our town as quickly as possible, I know that the work is still ongoing but the town is in a better position now thanks to the hard work of the dedicated men and women at HTS.

The town is also in a better position because of the leadership and passion of a number of our newer councillors especially on the environmental side, it would be churlish of me to not mention them, so thank you Councillors Purse and Gunn.

The incredible number of improvements as well as ensuring maintenance is done properly to our hedgerows, green spaces and in the estates shows that Taking Pride in Harlow is the biggest priority this town now has and it is important, as spring approaches, that every resident of Harlow plays their part in showing the world that Harlow is open for business.

Presenting a town that looks neat and tidy rather than tired and a little grubby can only benefit each and every one of us not only by encouraging new business to invest in the town but emotionally as well restoring that Pride in Harlow that has been missing for many years.

For a number of years I have been campaigning against unauthorised advertising in the town such as ‘A boards’, Estate Agent signs attached to street furniture and random posters, signs and banners littering the streets. That campaign is now seeing fruit and I must thank most of the Estate Agents and other companies that were doing this for stopping and helping to show Harlow in a better light, a cleaner, greener light, if you will.

If you want to share what you are doing with others to help restore Pride in Harlow there is a Facebook page set up at https://www.facebook.com/TakePrideInHarlow and a Twitter feed TakePrideInHarlow @HarlowTake

We all have an opportunity to show the town we care and are proud to live here but we all need to work together and that is the challenge I hope everyone will take up.

Kind regards

Councillor Nick Churchill

Member Champion for Mental Health and Wellbeing