Looking back over my time as News Editor, I just want to say a huge thank you to all the brilliant news writers I had this year; Jamie Bryson, Matthew Stothard, Eve Attwood, Eleanor Radford, Sunny Driscoll, Alex Gosling, Libby Hargreaves, Katherine Hutchison, Plum Bristow, Olivia Hennessy and Zoe Johnson. Whether you wrote just one article or several, your contributions have made my role so enjoyable, and I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s hard work. Thank you so much to all of you, and I wish you all the best for the future.

On a personal level, thank you so much to Matthew and Eve, two of the most dedicated, intelligent and patient people I’ve ever met. You have done incredible jobs as editors; your commitment has been inspiring, and we are all so lucky to have been part of your team. From doing the ‘A week in concrete’ podcast with you both, hysterical laughter in the Media Office, and our Christmas meal, it’s been an unforgettable experience. Best of luck for whatever is next for you both, I have no doubt you have very exciting futures ahead.

Additionally, I really want to thank my incredibly talented senior news writer, Jamie Bryson. Jamie saw something in me from the beginning when he was News Editor in the year 22/23, encouraging me to write my first news story, which examined the possibility of a four-day working week being introduced in the UK. After this, I wrote a few more stories and Jamie and I conducted an interview with local MP Chloe Smith before he inspired me to apply for the role of News Editor, as he was stepping down for the next year. Without his support, belief and friendship, I wouldn’t have applied, so I owe a lot to Jamie.

During my time as News Editor, I have interviewed several MPs, as well as senior staff members at UEA including Professor David Maguire, on a range of national and local issues. I hope that the discussions I have had with these people educated readers on various topics and encouraged more conversations about some difficult issues. Writing and editing news had its challenges, particularly remaining impartial. As a politics student, it was difficult in the beginning, and anyone who knows me, knows that I’m quite opinionated, and so biting my tongue in some of those interviews became quite a skill! Nevertheless, I’m so glad I got involved with Concrete, as it’s where I have made some of the best memories at UEA. From our trip to Bristol, to the little things like chatting in the office overlooking the square, I’ve enjoyed it all and would encourage everyone to give writing and/or editing for the paper a go!

The future of Concrete is in safe hands with Jamie and Fiona, good luck to the both of you and I’ll be checking the website each month to have a look at what you’ve been up to.

Image: Concrete/Innes Henry