"By the time you read this, Christmas will seem like a distant memory and we will be well into the new year, enjoying the lengthening days and – if I am being very optimistic! – some slightly warmer weather.
"As I write this, though, the memory of visiting the Christmas fair at Finstock Village Hall is still fresh. I greatly enjoyed meeting many of you, seeing the excellent products on offer and helping to draw the lucky raffle winners. Finstock does these events very well; I am always impressed by the community spirit and I congratulate the organisers that made the fair possible.
"The new year will see me back to work in Parliament and Westminster, as I start my second full year as your Member of Parliament. So far, I have already been in correspondence with over 1 in 15 constituents, visited over a third of West Oxfordshire schools - including Finstock Primary - and met with over one hundred businesses and charities.
"I also keep thousands of you up to date with my work in Westminster and West Oxfordshire (as well as local news and activities) with my fortnightly email newsletter. If you are interested, you can sign up through my website at www.robertcourts.co.uk.
"As your representative in Parliament, I am always keenly aware that I am speaking on your behalf on everything from broadband to potholes, animal welfare to defence. It is therefore so important for me to get out in the constituency and speak to as many of you as possible to inform my work in Westminster, as well as communicating back what is happening in Parliament and what that means for West Oxfordshire.
"I look forward to meeting many more of you around Finstock and West Oxfordshire, and if you see me do feel free to stop me for chat. Failing that, if you would like to contact me about any issue, please do email me at robert@robertcourts.co.uk – I would greatly appreciate hearing your views."