To many of us, Christmas has seemed much as always - the rush for presents, the heaving shops, shoals of cards, family get-togethers and too much food.
Brentwood & Ongar Liberal Democrats are launching a survey of local businesses to find out just how the recession and credit crunch are affecting them.
I would like to express my gratitude to Roy and Carol Dyer for the tireless work they have undertaken over the years in organising one of the finest firework displays in the county.
Groups which regularly use three community halls would struggle to move anywhere else, say campaigners fighting to prevent their sale.
Brentwood's Liberal Democrats are asking Cllr Brandon Lewis to confirm whether he is still a resident of the borough of Brentwood or if he now considers himself to be a resident of Hemsby, Norfolk, part of the constituency where he is bidding to become a member of parliament.
Brentwood's Liberal Democrats have reacted angrily to the news that Essex County Council has been given a damning 'inadequate' grade by the government's inspectors OFSTED for child protection whilst being the ninth highest spending council on marketing and PR in the country.
