We would like to wish all our readers and advertisers a Happy New Year.

It has been another tremendously hard 12 months for everyone in Newham, yet we have come through it.

We have done our best to report the good, the bad and the ugly in our borough, and despite our own struggles, we are still around as the voice of the community.

We pledge to carry on doing our utmost to keep you upto date with all that is going on in Newham both in paper and online. It is a big year ahead with the Olympic Games only months away now and our community is growing daily.

Newham has such a diverse population and has changed so much over the last 35 years.

Yet one thing has remained a constant and sums up the place in which we live or work...the amazing community spirit in the borough. And was encapsulated by the success of the annual toy appeal that we run in conjunction with the most amazing of organisations, Community Links. Against all the odds the people of Newham proved true community spirit lives on.

Thank you for your support of our newspaper and enjoy your family and friends at this special time of year.