Looking back on my time at Concrete, the first person I should thank is my friend Rosie who edited the art’s section last year. She encouraged me to write my first article on Norwich frescoes for her and promised me that “I’ll edit it all if it’s really sh** don’t worry”. Since then I’ve written twenty plus articles and somewhat unexpectedly ended up as features editor, it is safe to say I got the bug.

I should also thank Jamie, as my editor for news last year, as well as this year’s Editor-in-Chiefs, Matthew and Eve, for all the support they have given me. It has been a brilliant team to work with.

I have particularly enjoyed getting into some of the longer form and investigative content this year with features. One of the standout moments for me was the archival issue (number 400), where we delved into the newspaper’s history, specifically the 2000s era for me.

Coming into the last issue of my time at Concrete has felt rather funny, just like many other areas of my university life has felt like its flown by a bit too quick. Sometimes as though I’ll wake up in my fresher’s flat, Constable Terrace Flat 1, and typically realise the past three years were a vivid dream all along. Writing this with just over two weeks to my dissertation deadline and three weeks till I leave for Belgium, it feels a strange mix of daunting and incredibly exciting. 

This issue, features has an article covering the student elections, as well as a Q and A style interview with Nathan Wyatt. I hope you will enjoy them both.

Perhaps surprisingly, I think I’ll miss the media office a lot! It’s truly the best place, in my opinion, to people watch on campus. Looking down on the square you get a glimpse of what the UEA is. Whether its watching people enjoy the weather, getting their placement offers, or battling each other with fake swords, you truly see it all. There’s always something to chat about, and the background music from Livewire have been good companions to me. (As well as an excellent study spot when the library gets a tad too packed during summative season!)

I hope to see Concrete develop far into the future and am interested to see what Jamie and Fiona will do with the paper next year as the new Editors-in-Chief- congratulations to them! I encourage anyone and everyone to give it a go and see where it takes you!

Through Concrete I got to travel to Glasgow and Bristol, meet and interview a lot of incredible people, and met my boyfriend as well as friends for life. It is truly has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my university experience.

10 out of 10, would recommend to a friend,

With all my love, Eleanor x

Image: Concrete/Innes Henry