I should also like to thank all those friends and members of my family for their encouragement, help and support and those people from all divisions who have subsequently offered their best wishes.

I can assure all that I will do my best to give the wishes and concerns of the townspeople of Stamford as high a profile as I am able in Lincoln.

Having joined the group of Lincolnshire Independents, I remain a member of the Stamford Independent group, to whom I owe a great deal.

Thus far, I have been made a member of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and Children's Services, including Post 16 Education and Healthier Communities. I will not limit my endeavours solely to these areas.

I will be holding surgeries on the last Friday of every month at Blackstone's Sports and Social Club, from 2pm to 4.30pm, beginning on July 31, and look forward to meeting anyone who wishes to attend.

JOHN HICKS
Ryhall Road, Stamford