Today is Boxing Day, traditionally the day when we gave out Christmas "boxes" or tips to people who'd looked after us during the year. So it's a good day to look back at some of the people who've been mentioned on this page over the past year. Each week we get plenty of nominations for good shops, kind and caring hospitals - even income tax offices have had a mention.

If you ever think we live in a selfish society, then think again. We get plenty of letters praising good neighbours, even helpful teenagers and many, many times we hear from people who have been grateful for the kindness of strangers - with slips and falls, stalled cars, locked cars, lost keys, lost dogs, lost GCSE coursework - strangers have helped, often anonymously.

Then there are all the good neighbours. All through the region we have people keeping an eye on elderly neighbours - doing their shopping, taking them for hospital appointments, cutting the grass. Neighbours also keep an eye on mums with young children and anyone who is sick, down or who has had an accident. And, again, there have been plenty of teenagers and children who have been quick to do good turns, unasked, for their neighbours.

It's when we're ill that we appreciate care and concern the most. Far and away the most nominated hospital this year was the Eye Unit at Darlington Memorial Hospital. At one time, it seemed that barely a week went by without a mention of them and grateful patients telling others: "Not to worry, you'll be in the best possible hands".

It was also a year for the unsung heroes and heroines of the National Health Service, in particular the Intermediate Care Service - the people who look after those who've had major operations, new hips and knees and enable them to go home and get on with their lives. In many ways, the system works and there are plenty of people who appreciate it.

There are also plenty of excellent care homes in the region, where staff look after not only the old people in their care but their families too in tricky times.

Then there are shops and firms. We are all fond of saying that we don't get the service that we used to. Well, maybe that's not quite true. There are plenty of little shops which provide excellent service and there are plenty of people working for big national firms who make time to ensure customers are well looked after. The new Asda in Bishop Auckland and Tesco in Northallerton seemed to have a few mentions.

Well done, too, to theatres and cinemas who are going out of their way to make life easier for people who have some sort of disability. There's still a long way to go, but we've heard some heartening reports this year.

All through the year, we have had plenty of nominations. Our problem is that each week, there can only be one winner, so this week, thanks to NATTRASS the florist and THE LITTLE CHOCOLATE SHOP in Leyburn, we are able to go back through our files and give some chocs or flowers to people who just missed out first time round.

BACK in January, we heard about Ron Siddle, one of the porters at Asda in Bishop Auckland who came to the rescue of a motorist who'd locked himself out of his car. Since then, we've heard that Ron is a one man rescue band for stranded customers - has de-iced windscreens and locks, and even has his own jack so he can help change flat tyres. He's saved the day on many an occasion so we're sending him some chocs from The Little Chocolate Shop.

LEA Hoare, who works in Iceland in Queen Street, Darlington, is, we hear, quite quiet and shy. But she is also unfailingly cheerful with customers and always helpful. In fact, Lilian Stanley wrote in February to say that Lea's pleasant manner is one of the reasons she shops in Iceland. So Lea gets one of our bouquets, courtesy of Nattrass.

STAFF of various Boots stores in the region are regulars on this page and this year, a special mention went to those on the pharmacy counter at Newton Aycliffe. Not only do they regularly give helpful advice, wrote Norah Harrison, "but they are second to none in reassuring anxious people". So we thought they deserved a box of chocs .

EVERY week for ten years, John and Beatrice Beaty have run tea dances at the Town Hall in Bishop Auckland, giving a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. Vera Nunn and Gordon Stewart also wanted to mention all the work they do for charitable events, so we're sending John and Beatrice a bouquet as a thank you for all those years of keeping people dancing.

JUST a few weeks ago, we heard about a young Australian waitress, Heidi Elston, who works at the Caruso restaurant in Darlington. Not only was she pleasant and friendly, but when reader June Evans's young niece was not feeling too well, Heidi went out of her way to be kind. "An exceptional waitress," wrote June and we reckon exceptional waitresses deserve a bouquet.

WHEN animals become part of the family, it can be very upsetting when they're ill, so we regularly have nominations for veterinary practices. Among those nominated this year was the Wilson Veterinary Group of Bishop Auckland, not only for their care for a sick and dying Yorkshire terrier but also for their concern for the Yorkie's owner. A sympathetic and understanding attitude makes all the difference, so we're sending them a box of chocs.

ANOTHER regular on this page is Hackett and Baines's shops in both Shildon and Darlington. This year, it was the Darlington shop that was picked out by a reader, who appreciated the way staff dealt with her 83-year-old mother. "She was given expert advice without any pressure and time and patience to make up her mind. The lady in the shop gave my mother the courtesy of treating her with respect." As too many shop assistants can be offhand or patronising towards elderly customers - and as we hope to be an elderly customer one day - we think such pleasant attitudes should be recognised and encouraged - and rewarded with flowers.

AND finally, when we're all delving into our family history or checking on the history of a town or community, we are increasingly likely to need the help of the staff in the Public Records Office in Durham. That's what Mrs Nancy Flower found when she was one of a team researching the history of St Luke's Church, Ferryhill, for its 150th anniversary. "On every occasion, archivist Miss Jennifer Gill and the staff on reception have been most patient and helpful." As many of us are just beginning to realise what a vast treasure house the Public Record Office is, we're sending the staff there some chocolates for all their unsung work.

REMEMBER

Next week, Bouquet of the Week is back to normal. It's your chance to say a public thank you to a helpful shop assistant, efficient company, caring hospital, good neighbour or kind stranger. Just write to Sharon Griffiths, Bouquet of the Week, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL1 1NF. Every week of the year, we send someone a bouquet of flowers or a box of posh chocs from The Little Chocolate Shop. But PLEASE remember to include all the details - including your name and phone number, so we can check if needs be. It's very hard to send a bouquet to someone when you don't know where they live.

Happy New Year - let's hope there will be lots of super service for you to write to us about in 2004.

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