ANOTHER year is coming to a close.

It has been one of celebrations, protests, sadness and fundraising for good causes.

Chief reporter Craig Manning looks back at some of the stories that have featured in our pages …

IN January, Wirral rail commuters faced disruption to journeys as strike action took place in an ongoing dispute over the planned introduction of driver-only trains.

The dispute, between RMT and Merseyrail, related to a new fleet of driver-only trains that will replace the current 40-year-old rolling stock in 2020.

In February, plans to increase Mersey Tunnel tolls by 10p to £1.80 were approved.

In March, Globe-backed Wirral charity Autism Together celebrated its 50th anniversary with the launch of its Future 50 campaign to raise £2.5m for a project to replace its original residential home, Raby Hall with a world-leading building suitable for up to 12 patients.

We said goodbye to comedy legend Sir Ken Dodd - a regular performer at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton - who died aged 90.

A plaque celebrating the Liverpool-born comedian, singer and actor's life and career was later unveiled by his widow, Lady Anne Dodd and artist Robert Newbiggin at the seaside venue.

In April, a shocking report revealed foster children in Wirral went missing more than 150 times in a year – almost a tenth of the borough’s youngsters in this type of care.

May saw the culmination of months of Local Election campaigning.

Labour and Conservatives celebrated, declaring themselves "delighted" with results in Wirral – despite neither party actually making any gains.

All 23 seats up for vote were held in a night-long stalemate, but one of the surprises of the evening did see the Greens cling on to their only seat – despite a Labour onslaught.

Labour hung onto overall control – 39 seats of 66 – after retaining the 12 that were up for election.

Also celebrating were Tranmere Rovers, who returned to the Football League after beating Boreham Wood 2-1 at Wembley Stadium.

In June, four brave police officers who risked their lives after a man threatened to jump off an M53 bridge were nominated for a national bravery award, Sergeant Mark Woollam, PC Derek Morgan, PC Chris Francis and PC Jake Connolly from Cheshire Police were called to the bridge following a call from a man who needed help and was at risk of harming himself.

In July. more than 1,700 people took part in the Globe-backed Race For Life in Birkenhead Park, raising an incredible £85,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The brakes were applied to plans for car-parking charges at coastal locations across Wirral, following 3 December 26, 2018 A Giant visits New Brighton.

The proposals were drawn up in a bid to help the authority make up a £61m budget shortfall.

In August, campaigners stepped up their fight against controversial plans for a "golf resort" in Hoylake, with more than 10,000 signing a protest petition.

In September, around 150 people furious at proposals to build thousands of homes on Wirral's green belt took to the town hall in protest.

The demonstration came after the Government reportedly told Wirral Council it has until 2035 to build 12,000 homes. A public consultation into the move was underway.

In October, The Giants spectacular returned to Merseyside. It brought a total of 1.3 million visitors to the area and a £2.2m boost for Wirral’s economy.

We also revealed the heartbreaking news that Brave Edie Molyneux – whose courage while being treated for an inoperable brain tumour touched the hearts of thousands of people – sadly passed away.

The four-year-old, from Tranmere, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) last year.

Edie's family set up The Spider-Ede Appeal in an attempt to raise cash so that Edie could continue to receive potentially life-saving intra-arterial chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatment in Mexico.

In a Facebook tribute, Edie's parents described her as an "inspiration to us all."

In November, we revealed Council Tax was set to rise in Wirral next year after the local authority announced it must find savings of £45m.

More than 30,000 people also signed a petition calling the scrapping of plans to axe four walk-in centres across Wirral.

If approved, the controversial proposals by the local Clinical Commissioning Group would mean the walk-in and minor injuries facilities at Eastham Clinic, Victoria Central Wallasey, Miriam Medical Centre in Birkenhead, Parkfield Medical Centre in New Ferry and Moreton Health Clinic would all go.

Heartbreaking tributes were also paid to brave 10-year-old Lucy Moroney who lost her fight against an inoperable brain tumour.

Lucy, from Heswall, was diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG). Her family set up 'Lucy's Pineapple Fund' in an attempt to raise cash for intra-arterial chemotherapy treatment in Mexico and after countless donations the family was able to take Lucy over to Monterrey.

In a heartbreaking tribute, dad Joe wrote: "You were beautiful inside and out, and I'm going to miss your beaming smile, your amazing sense of humour and your perfect sensitive soul."

In December, more than 2,000 people attended Wirral Hospice St John’s 22nd Globe-backed Light Up A Life switch-on.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust also revealed plans to create 400 new car parking spaces, following a Globe peoplepowered campaign against shocking charges for nurses using Arrowe Park Hospital’s car park. Our fight was supported by Birkenhead MP Frank Field and 10,000 people signed our online petition demanding a change of heart.

Tranmere’s good fortune continued after they progressed to the FA Cup third round after beating Southport in the second-round replay.

Happy New Year from all at the Wirral Globe