Mayor Pipe's Christmas Message

I would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas. Whether or not you celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday, this time of year represents for many a time to spend with family and friends, or even just to take a break from work.

As Mayor, I’ve taken the opportunity to look back on all that’s happened in the borough this year - it’s certainly been one to remember.

For me, like others, the highlight was London's Olympic bid success in July. As one of the key Olympic boroughs we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to oversee the transformation of some of the borough's poorest areas, with new jobs, new homes and improved public transport.

The legacy of the Games was always the most important thing about the bid and I was determined that after the athletes, the tourists and the world's media had gone home Hackney would be improved not just for the short term but for future generations.

In terms of transport we’ve now got a commitment from government that tube links will come to Hackney by 2009, in the form of the East London Line Extension to Shoreditch, Hoxton, Haggerston and Dalston. We also have commitment that the North London Line will be upgraded to an eight train per hour metro service.

Sadly, our Olympic win is not the only reason that Hackney people will remember 2005. Less than 24 hours after we celebrated at Stratford and Trafalgar Square, the dreadful terrorist attacks of 7 July took place. It was said at the time that bombers sought to divide people. However, in Hackney we showed that we were united.

One of the reasons I’ve always been proud of Hackney is that its many diverse communities live together in peace. I was delighted when a MORI survey of residents in September showed that the bombings hadn’t changed that. More than 80 per cent said they thought Hackney was a place where people from different backgrounds got along well.That really is something of which we should be proud. And pride is the feature of the 'I Love Hackney' exhibition at the Hackney Museum, encouraging residents to think about what it is they like about the borough.

In fact I’ve spoken to hundreds of people this year at 'Meet your Mayor' events at local festivals and shopping centres and one thing that’s struck me is the level of pride that people feel about living in Hackney. I am committed to working with partners to ensure we continue to improve Council services in all areas.

Whether you’re staying here or going away for the holiday season, I hope that you all have a peaceful and happy Christmas.

With very best wishes

Jules Pipe
Mayor of Hackney

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Page updated: 28 Feb 2007