IN many ways 2001 has been a disastrous 12 months, just ask any farmer, but there is plenty to look forward to in 2002, and many challenges ahead for the county.

The farming industry must believe that nothing worse lies ahead than the destructive forces of BSE and foot and mouth.

The same applies too to tourism, which was hit by fear and uncertainty caused by the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington just when it thought it had got through the worst effects of those two diseases.

Now a new year will bring new hope to both industries and, together with support from the community and from the Government, things must get better.

July will bring the North Wiltshire Festival to Chippenham and provided North Wiltshire District Council's festival team has brought in sufficient sponsorship, the event will be a huge boost to the area.

So, too, will the filming of the second Harry Potter movie in Lacock. The area is already seeing the benefits of its inclusion in the first film, now cash from the filmmakers as they move into the area in January will help build on them. The challenges that remain include major developments in the centre of our towns.

The Flowers site in Chippenham and the Northgate site in Devizes will need more time and energy devoted on them to provide for the future economic growth of both towns.

In Marlborough the future of Savernake Hospital is still unresolved. Wiltshire Health Authority must keep up the momentum and ensure the hospital has a role to play.

In Devizes, Chippenham and Malmesbury ongoing rows over skateparks have left homeowners and young people disillusioned. The councils involved must live up to their responsibility to provide safe play areas for young people, while taking the needs of residents into account.

Wiltshire Fire Brigade's dispute with the Fire Brigade Union over staffing of the new joint control centre threatens to mar a groundbreaking development for the emergency services. We call on both sides to use common sense and build on their previous good relationship to solve it.

This year has been a difficult one and 2002 may be equally tough but if we face it as a community united we can make it a good one.