Those New Year resolutions; what local people are planning

Jan 1 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

LOSE weight, quit smoking and start saving; just three of the typical new year resolutions made by thousands of people up and down the country.

Almost half of people, 48%, are pledging to sort out their finances as they feel the pinch of the credit crunch.

And 49% of people say they will aim to lose weight, with 28% pledging to quit smoking as 2009 begins.

But many people are expected to fail in their goals, with 38% of people typically breaking their resolutions by the end of January.

But what at the hopes and new year resolutions prominent Huddersfield and Kirklees people will be making and hoping not to break in 2009?

JOANNE DOUGLAS finds out.

Rob Wilde, manager of the West Yorkshire Forget Me Not Trust “Our hopes for 2009 is that the trust continues to get more support from the dedicated people within our communities. This year we hope to generate major income for the hospice and tap into pots of money that will help us achieve the dream of a hospice. In the spring time we are launching a lottery which we hope will generate much-needed funds and there are plans to open four or five shops. It certainly will be a busy year but also an exciting time. We have some great supporters and we hope that continues into 2009.”

The Rev Catherine Ogle, Vicar of Huddersfield “My big hope is that 2009 will be a more peaceful year and we see a real striving for peace everywhere, particularly at the moment in the Middle East but also in Zimbabwe and the Congo. Perhaps new US President Barack Obama will help with that. Locally, there is a really marvellous community in Huddersfield with the churches all working together. I hope and am sure that is something that will continue in 2009 for the good of everybody. Personally, I think I’ll make a start on tidying my desk; it’s a big job at the moment,” she joked.