Lena Davis has been a music producer, writer and Personal Manager; a photographer and journalist and, over thirty years ago, got together with Caroline Scattergood to create the Caring & Sharing Trust to bring music, hope and love into the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families from throughout Northamptonshire.
Here we are in another year – but one that is rather unusual. The political parties are in disarray and love is certainly not all around in Westminster.
So, folks, it is up to us to rise above it all and spread those missing ingredients of love, compassion, kindness, respect and emotional intelligence.
Don’t worry – we won’t be alone. These last twelve months millions of us have found inspiration in the most unusual of places. On the football field, in the jungle and on the dance floor just for starters.
We saw that people in competition could like, support and appreciate each other while still following their own personal agendas.
During the World Cup’s summer of love we saw footballers and supporters enjoying the moment while still wanting to win. In the Jungle and on the dance floor we saw inner beauty blossom and personal vanity disappear.
And, certainly on the dance floor, we heard people say “I don’t know what I’m doing yet, but I’m willing to learn”. How wonderful would it be to hear those words from Cabinet Members on acquiring a new post!
Millions of us enjoyed spending time with Holly Willoughby, Harry Rednapp and all their friends in the jungle.
And, what a good omen that the BBC decided to invite the divine Stacey Dooley and Joe Sugg to usher in the New Year on TV.
So when we see and hear what is going on in Parliament we only hope that they too will feel they can work together for the common good.
If they do not agree with each other – then let them put forward their own plans so we have the opportunity to compare their detailed ideas.
Please, we beg you, treat each other and your constituents with respect.
If only they had time to meet us all we could tell them that, whatever our political leanings, Theresa May has certainly united most of us in admiration of her indomitable spirit and dogged good humour.
The history books are full of stories of war but our personal histories are more often focused on love.
Our most enduring popular films have one thing in common – they’re full of love.
From “It’s a Wonderful Life” through “Love Actually” right up until our present world of cartoons such as “Frozen” our best film memories are full of love.
An important place to foster love is within our own homes and families.
Most of us have hearts that are full of love but too often we forget, or are too shy, to tell the recipient.
Many of us give more signs of love and affection to our pets than we do to each other.
And even more of us sometimes wait for funerals before we mention how much we loved the dear departed.
We’re not such a bad old lot us human beings are we?
It might seem that way because only the naughtiest amongst us hit the headlines.
So, even if you currently are naughty – what I wish for you all this coming year, and forever, is lots and lots of love.
