Dear readers, 

I'd like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas, and to thank you very much for reading this year. 

Having established this site comparatively recently - in April of this year - I'm very grateful to every reader for helping us find our feet. 

Every view, click, share and so forth helps greatly, and allows us to keep producing our news. 

I'm also very grateful to the cast of local figures I've met this year - a broad and inspiring range of characters; politicians, musicians, artists, sportspeople, business owners, fundraisers, proud parents, and many more.

Despite - or perhaps because of - the unwavering positivity of this period, Christmas can be a difficult time. Nonetheless, we can be happy at least that we share a local connection - most likely we are either from Stockport, or have some interest in it. Perhaps we grew up here or lived here for a while, or have lived here for a lifetime. 

By extension, we share some inside jokes, some similar memories, and perhaps some favourite locations. Given the scale of the world, this probably counts for quite a lot!

With this in mind, then, I'd like to give my very best wishes to all across the borough. Here's to our shared experience, with much more to look forward to next year.

Alasdair