Tackling food poverty is the key goal targeted by the Bishop of Dudley in his New Year message.

And he is calling on people to build on the Black Country community spirit that shone through the pandemic for an “As One’ campaign for people to come together to make 2021 a better year.

In his message Bishop of Dudley, Martin Gorick says: “It’s hard to believe that just 12 months ago we were all gathering in large groups, enjoying time with friends and family, singing Auld Lang Syne with no thought of pandemics, lockdown, social distancing, facemasks, sanitizer and all the other things that made 2020 so difficult, complicated and anxiety producing.

“And that's without thinking of all the economic disruption, loss of jobs and loss of hope, of exam chaos for the young and new illness and sometimes death for the old and vulnerable.

“If ever we needed a Happy New Year this is it! I wish I could say everything will be wonderful from now, but I can’t.

“We still don’t know what Brexit will mean… Covid is still with us though we do now have vaccines, thank God, and they will roll out this year. The old and vulnerable will soon be safer, and all of us can dream of a life when we can meet and gather together once more.

“In Dudley, we’re planning to do this ‘As One’, through a new campaign which will build on the amazing Black Country community spirit, demonstrated in lockdown.

“We need to stand As One for a land without food poverty, where people of every race and language can live free and fulfilled lives. There will be much to do. Let’s do it As One!

Meanwhile the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, who praised the wonderful care her received while treated by the NHS for a broken leg, has issued his New Year message. Dudley is within the Worcester diocese.

He said: “I pray that out of the ruins of 2020 there will emerge in 2021 a better society characterised by that sort of care.: