IN her Christmas message Labour's parliamentary candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis Stephanie Peacock urges people to have a compassionate Christmas.

It's been a busy year in Halesowen and Rowley Regis.

Where I can, I've done my best to make a difference for local people on the issues they told me they care about, whether they be repairing the broken crossing at Cradley Heath rail station or campaigning to restore the axed bus routes to Russells Hall Hospital.

There's also a spirited campaign underway, led by local residents, to save the Haden Cross pub from unwanted 'development'.

There's plenty of you around who pop in for a pint now and again – you know who you are - so do think about getting involved if you can.

That's not to say it's all been hard work, far from it. In the run up to Christmas I've been lucky enough to be invited to all sorts of events, including the Salvation Army's ever popular carols concert in Cradley Heath and the Halesowen Asian Elderly Association Eid Diwali Christmas Celebration.

It's been a huge pleasure to come together with young and old to celebrate the festive season, and to play a small part in such a warm and welcoming community. Ultimately, it's not everybody who'd put up with my singing.

In a roundabout way, that brings me onto what I really wanted to say. This time of year is difficult for a lot of people; the families struggling to heat their homes and to put food on the table, those who are apart from their loved ones or facing their first Christmas alone.

The rise of food banks, and the local charities inundated with appeals for help, tell us something uncomfortable about the society in which we now live. However, they also tell a different and more hopeful story.

The volunteers who staff the Black Country Food Bank or run the Community Link on Cradley Heath High Street, give generously of their time all year round to support those most in need. There are countless others, as well, whose gentle kindnesses go largely unnoticed.

Given the season, and the fact that most news seems to be bad news of late, I think it's important to celebrate a people and a place as compassionate and resilient as ever. It's one of the reasons I'm proud to call this unique part of the Black Country home.

I'd like to end by wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.