Welcome to 2017! For our first edition of the year, we lead with news of a well deserved MBE for Hannahs chief Bronwen Hewitt.

Also on the front page is the story of the seasonal birth of Lola Baker - sure to banish the January blues.

Inside there’s the usual wealth of fascinating titbits from around the area. We look at the renovation of South Brent’s ancient church tower, hear from a new politician on the block keen to shake up public transport, and preview Ivybridge Theatre Company’s upcoming pantomime.

All this and much more in this week’s Ivybridge & South Brent Gazette, out Friday.