from COGNEWS and Cheadle COG

Whether your New Year crept in quietly or came in with a bang and the popping of the odd cork, we'd like to wish you your happiest year yet! The arrival of 2025 rang in across the world with celebrations of fireworks, music, and laser shows as nations gathered in capital cities to show their celebration style to the world.
London's event was spectacular, thoughtful, and creative, as for the first time the London Eye was used as a cinematic screen framed by fireworks in abundance. London's was by no means the biggest, but it was by far the most connected we saw. Viewers and 100,000 ticketed visitors were treated to a clever round-up to 2024 as the London embankment lit up the night sky and the Thames. Paddington Bear told us how London had welcomed him in as a stranger to the city, and reflections included the Paris Olympics, the England Football's UEFA result, and the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We particularly enjoyed the "Happy Birthday - to me" message displayed on the London Eye as the Eye itself turns 25. Many of us will recall its creation as part of our millennium celebrations 25 years ago today. You can watch the starting ceremony here.
The connectivity of this event was remarkable, featuring a wide-ranging soundtrack that included hits from Sabrina Carpenter, Natasha Bedingfield, Travis, Sir Elton John, One Direction, Dame Vera Lynn, Panjabi Hit Squad, Tems, and Shaboozey, with voice clips including D-Day veterans, Dame Imelda Staunton, Sir Ian McKellen, Mawaan Rizwan, Carol Kirkwood, Alex Scott MBE, Ellie Simmonds OBE, and Sadiq.
It's a broad church for sure, as many communities are featured in this celebration: Film, Sport, Music, and significant events, to name a few. There is a brilliant lesson here for our own much smaller communities: coming together can improve your group beyond your plans and dreams.
We look forward to doing our part in supporting our members, residents, and businesses in 2025 to better connect, better showcase, and better celebrate all that 2025 has to offer us.
Have a Happy New Year in Staffordshire Moorlands! last updated 01.01.2025
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