‘IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas’. There. I have said it.

It never ceases to amaze me how this time of year seems to creep up on you and suddenly the talk of the town is where to go on the day, what to eat and drink, and of course what to buy family and friends as presents.

You will be pleased to know the excitement and anticipation is already growing in Inverclyde.

The tree is on display in the Grand Corridor outside my office in the Municipal Buildings and next week I will be joining Father Christmas and his reindeer – who are better than people if you are a fan of a certain Disney movie – in Clyde Square for the grand Christmas lights switch on.

It promises to be a great night and I hope as many of you as possible will come along to join in the festivities and celebrations next Thursday from 6pm.

There are of course switch-on events across Inverclyde — in Port Glasgow and Gourock on Wednesday 3 December; in Kilmacolm, Wemyss Bay, Inverkip and Quarriers Village on Friday 5 December. Full details are on the events page of the council’s website www.inverclyde.gov.uk Last week I had the privilege and pleasure of presenting the winners awards at the annual CVS Inverclyde Community Awards which recognises the achievements of the area’s large third sector community and its many volunteers.

Reach for Autism, which aims to break down barriers surrounding autism, took the Voluntary Organisation of the Year title and was among the ten category award winners unveiled on the night.

I would like to say however that for me the big winner on the night was CVS Inverclyde itself. I was hugely impressed, and indeed humbled, by the dedication and commitment of everyone involved in Inverclyde. To you I give my sincerest and heartfelt thanks.

Finally, a huge thank you to the organisers of the bi-annual Greenock and District Scouts Gang Show. I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening at the Beacon Arts Centre on Saturday night. Special thanks and congratulations go to the producer Kenny Wilson who received the Scouts Silver Medal — their highest award.