JANUARY always seems to get a bad press after the highs of the Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations.

For most people it’s the month that takes us back to the toil and realities of working off those extra pounds gained and replacing them in a depleted bank account.

The weather is horrible (unless you love snow and slush) and many of us have just about broken all our New Year’s resolutions.

But wait a minute. Am I not supposed to cheer you up?

Well, that’s what I will attempt to do by highlighting some of the many good things taking place in Inverclyde, starting with the Inverclyde Music Festival.

It has been going for over 90 years and it is still a calendar highlight and one not to be missed Another great thing about January is the start of the Burns Season.

I am fortunate to be invited to celebrate Burns at many suppers across the area.

Although the concept and format are the same they are all different in their character and delivery.

A particular favourite for me is probably the Burns School compition, where the young people compete in the songs, the poetry and the playing of instruments.

Their skill and confidence is a thrill and the event owes a big thank-you to Greenock Burns Club and our education department for their work in organising the event.

In just a few weeks we will have our annual bulb exhibition and competition in Port Glasgow Town Hall which reminds us that spring is just round the corner.

The home baking stall is really good, especially because I get to judge all the entrants. Yum!

Although I must admit I delegated it last year to a couple of Brownies who shall remain anonymous, but by the look on their faces I am sure they enjoyed the task.

Which takes me back to my original point about those broken New Year resolutions and trying to keep a healthy lifestyle.

I was speaking to a chap recently who has the exact same problem as me with a broken wardrobe. Every time he puts his suit away and brings it back out it has shrunk and he can barely fit in it.

That’s another thing for us to celebrate about living in Inverclyde – the leisure opportunities.

With the gyms, sports pitches, swimming pools, Greenock Cut and the many other places to walk and cycle, there are so many chances to reverse those shrinking clothes and keep up that healthy lifestyle.