In her first column of 2021, Macclesfield mayor Sarah Bennett-Wake reflects on the difficult start to the new year and how we can come through it as a community.

One of the best football games I have ever attended was the third round of the FA match against Cardiff City. The Silkmen won 2-1!

As I watched Marine Athletic this weekend I was hoping for a similar result. Sadly, they lost but it didn't stop the local community and many others supporting them.

Who would have thought that our football club would have survived last year? They did thanks to the marvellous Macclesfield community spirit.

I know things may seem bleak at the moment but by working together we can survive what has been a depressing start to the New Year.

Like many people we spent New Year a home with a buffet for two and something fizzy!

Our wonderful neighbours, six doors down serenaded us with their rendition of Auld Lang Syne. For luck, we kept the tradition of bringing in bread, a coin and coal.

We are all hoping for a better New Year, maybe not straight away but with the newly approved Astra Zeneca/Oxford vaccine hope is on the horizon.

In the meantime, whilst we wait for our turn for the vaccine we must act as if we have the virus. Remember, masks are worn over the nose and mouth, hand washing is effective after 20 seconds, use sanitiser if your out and about. Open windows if you are indoors, it lets the air circulate and the germs out. Keep 2 metres apart, that's roughly 6 feet.

If we follow this guidance, remain kind to ourselves and each other, we can reduce the opportunity for the virus to spread.

Thank you to all the charities, organisations and volunteers across Macclesfield who have provided meals, food parcels and spread some Christmas cheer over the holiday period. It is heartening to see the continued generosity which will be needed more than ever in the coming months.

The latest restrictions have impacted on many businesses. For example, after briefly reopening The Green in the Corner, Hurdsfield's Community Café, is serving take-out food only and delivering meals to the vulnerable. If you can shop and order from our local businesses, please do.

Inspired by the children's book, 'While We Can't Hug' by Eoin McLaughlin, the directors at 'The Green' have embarked on a letter writing scheme to combat loneliness.

Could you write a letter to someone who is feeling isolated? It would be delightful if children could write to residents of local care homes or we could all send a letter of thanks to our brave keyworkers, carers, volunteers, the NHS and those who work in schools. Think about how else we can share kindness? A smile, a thank you, a letter, or a phone call.

Cheers, here's to a kinder, happier New Year!