What a year it has been!

We had the Diamond Jubilee, the Olympics and Paralympics...and Worksop had it’s share of good news too.

In January a new sensory room was opened at Whitegates residential care home for autistic adults in Worksop, thanks to help from electrical switchgear manufacturers Eaton.

And Worksop charity Hope for the Homeless signed up to a national Dogs Trust scheme to enable homeless people to keep their pets with them.

In February we met the members of Harworth Wood Turning Group who meet at Turner’s Retreat on Snape Lane to make beautiful creations on the lathe.

Young people were full of praise for the free counselling and guidance they receive from Centreplace in Worksop. “I wouldn’t be here now if not for this place,” said Callum Sawyer.

Babies were being taught sign language in March at Tiny Talk sessions held at the Balmoral and Oasis community centres by new mum Katie Peters.

While the allotment holders of Claylands Avenue, Worksop, became the first in the district to become self-administered, with Bassetlaw council handing over control to them.

In April, Oasis Community Centre manager Steve Wilson told us how they were putting the heart back into Kilton by offering a range of different social and learning opportunities.

While parents Dave and Alison Young were full of praise for the help given to their son Aidan, who has special needs, by staff at Sir Edmund Hillary School.

The Womens Institute proved it was still going strong in May when we met the members of the newly-launched Worksop Wonders WI.

Also celebrating success were young people given a second chance at education by Bassetlaw Training Agency on Cheapside.

An appeal for more people to give blood went out in June, in the run-up to the Olympics. Donor Allan Price, 65, of Costhorpe, said: “It’s a good feeling to know you might be helping to save a life.”

We also met Jenny Bricklebank who has 11 tortoises and said each had its own personality.

In July Fred Marshall, a real life member of ‘Dad’s Army’ who helped protect Worksop people during the Second World War, had his memoirs published posthumously by his son John.

Jim Haywood, who ran a toy shop in Creswell, had his second novel published at the age of 84 in August.

While teenagers Rachel Barker and Lauren Bailey told us why the Worksop Link club at Valley Young People’s Centre was so important to them and other youngsters with disabilities.

Hospital radio Trust AM celebrated its 40th anniversary in September and memories were also being brought back for dementia sufferers at Victoria Care Home, thanks to the charity Lost Chord which organises music performances to help stimulate the brain.

In October Christy Collins, 26, of Retford, set up The Swoon Bakery from home, making cakes and serving afternoon tea, while Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service said in November that they had seen four times the number of volunteers this year.

So it’s goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013. Happy New Year to you!