Welcome to 2011, 2010 was a tough one.

As I sat down to write this article in December I couldn’t help but reflect on some of the trivia, trials and tribulations of 2010. There are plenty to choose from.

Very cold, snowy conditions continued until the middle of January. There were widespread delays to road, rail and air travel, thousands of school closures, and interruptions to power supplies. At least 30 people are thought to have died because of the freezing weather.

During February an earthquake in Chile devastated with 600 people dead.

In April the Icelandic volcanic ash grounded all flights in and out of the UK causing huge disruption to travellers.

Then in May we had the general election which generated a high turnout of 65%, which is 30 million viewers.

The outcome is the Conlib coalition we have today. Against all expectations, they seem to be keeping it together quite well, but we musn’t forget that all politicians crave power, and shared power is better than no power at all. This is the real glue of the coalition.

Now that the country’s books have been drowned in red ink we are all going to have a very tough time in 2011 as the Government tries to balance them.

In July and August Pakistan was devastated by floods. With 2000+ deaths, the UN said it was the worst natural disaster ever seen.

In October Chile was back in the news again. Following a mining explosion 33 Chilean miners spent 68 days trapped 700 metres underground. They were eventually all winched out, one by one, and returned safely to the bosom of their families, heroes every one.

The whole world watched on television in wonder and amazement. This was the heart warming story of the year.

In December Simon Cowell’s X factor had 17 million viewers for the final. This is half the number of people who voted in the May general election.

Now it only remains for me to wish all the readers of the Hale and Altrincham handbook a happy and prosperous New Year.