The Orkney News team would like to wish all our readers, contributors and social media followers a very pleasant Christmas Day.

We are thinking today of those who will not be with us this year. Some will be unable to visit and share our table because of lockdown. Others sadly have passed away. And of course there are many who will be working today.

Our health and social services and those who work in our emergency services will continue to be at work keeping us safe. Many workers, for instance out in the North Sea in our energy sector, will be working as will those who reconnect us if our power goes off.

There are many people who keep our communities going enabling the rest of us to have a Christmas Day at home.

This year more than ever we have been reminded of those in our communities who are in the front line and provide us with the support we need when a public health emergency like Covid19 strikes.

It is more important than ever that we continue to keep ourselves and others safe so that we can look forward to a better Christmas in 2021.

Love and understanding of the needs of others is our wish to everyone from The Orkney News Team.

Stay Safe and Be Kind.

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain. Emily Dickinson