Every month Mayor of Kenilworth Cllr Richard Dickson reaches out to the people of the town through his column with Kenilworth Nub News.

This month Cllr Dickson has been focusing on the positives that we have seen so far this year:

So here we are one month in to 2021. It's been a tough start to the year for many of us. I hope you and your family are well.

Last month I said there was cause for hope. That there is a crack in everything.

It would be so easy to focus on the darkness. The continued problems caused by Covid, from which so many of us have suffered. Local businesses and our universities having to cope also with the changes caused by Brexit. Our shops that are shut. Our young people having to learn at home.

Our community events, like the Gang Show, that haven't taken place. Our station where the train service has sadly been suspended by West Midlands Railways.

But, even in this darkness, there are signs of light. Signs for all to see.

As your mayor this past month, whilst handing over a new gritbin and some salt, I met with one of our inspiring local primary school headteachers. She told me how her school is getting through. How her team is effectively running two schools – a real one with children of key workers in classrooms and an online one for pupils learning with their families at home.

I've visited our local Covid testing centre and seen the amazing work being done to help people stay safe.

As your mayor I took part in the town's annual church service this month for Christian unity and heard people talk about how they're caring for their neighbours.

I've chatted in Abbey Fields with our local police community support officers who told me how the vast majority of people when they're outside taking exercise are doing so responsibly and staying in their bubbles.

Every day I see signs of hope. And signs of hope in the every day. In the Kindness campaign set up by one of our local cafes. In the new artwork now on display in the old Poundland shop. In a new business opening up on Station Road. In the money raised for a new Wellbeing programme at theKenilworthCentre for our young people. In the continued work of the Covid-19 Support Kenilworth group delivering hundreds of prescriptions and meals to local vulnerable residents.

And, of course, I'm delighted – after so many people have worked for it for so many years – that at last this past month the County Council has authorised 'all steps' be taken to deliver the Kenilworth 2 Leamington cycle route by the end of 2023.

We asked for signs. The signs were sent. Yes there are still huge challenges, but if I've learned anything so far in 2021 is that even, with all our differences, if we work together we can be kind neighbours to one another and we can make Kenilworth a welcoming place to visitors. Thank you so much for what you're doing to help make Kenilworth such a special place.