I know that everyone’s been saying it, but I’m glad for the sun. It’s felt like a very long and dark sort of winter, the type that encourages you to forget the Spring and all that it brings. But I’m happy to have been reminded again (and I’m proud of UEA’s resolve to sit on steps in the square even if the sunlight is only fleeting).

It is with this dogged optimism that I keep pointing out the lake to my friends. They’re probably a little tired of hearing my theory that if we just get past March then we can sit on the bank and have wine and snacks (and somehow because of this, everything will be perfect). I think you could say that I’ve fallen into the trap of wishing time away. 

But there are lots of things in March that are worth being grateful for. The crocuses on the way to uni, the fact that more and more people seem to understand that lemon and brown sugar is the best way to eat pancakes on Pancake Day and, of course, my half birthday. However, more significant than any of these is my gratitude this month towards Sofia Royal and Emily (Milli) Pitt-Shaw.  With Jamie stepping away for March, Sofia has very kindly taken on the role of Co-Editor-In-Chief. I know how demanding being an EiC is and so I’m incredibly impressed at how naturally and calmly she’s taken to it! Milli has also been an absolute lifesaver, with her stepping into the position of Current Affairs Editor- her enthusiasm and ability to multitask are pretty inspiring. 

As ever, I’m grateful also to the whole team at Concrete. Looking over the paper this month, I’m taken aback by their hard work and dedication. You might notice that there’s a bit of an environmental/wildlife theme going on and, although this wasn’t intentional, it’s lined up remarkably well with Climate Week, running from the 17^th-21^st of March. Brought to the UEA by Youth Climate Solutions (a social enterprise run by one of our environmental correspondents Jaz Brook), the week is jam-packed with lots of interesting and important events. I really strongly encourage you to head to the SU website in order to get involved! 

Despite my resolution to enjoy the rest of March, I am going to allow myself to be a little excited for April! A few weeks ago Concrete was shortlisted for three national awards by the Student Publication Association. With the conference and awards ceremony taking place in Exeter this year, quite a few of us from Concrete will be making the journey down to the city to hear the results! I have so many lovely memories from the conference at Bristol last year and so I can’t wait to make more with this year’s team!

And with that, I would like to leave you with both a ‘Happy March’ and a short passage of my all-time favourite book and one that I’ve always found to be deeply attached to the start of Spring and the longing for times ahead.

“There’s quite a bit of softness in it, isn’t there?” I said. “ I shall think of this as spring rain – or am I cheating? You know I always try to begin the spring too soon.”

He leaned out and took a deep sniff

“It’s beginning all right, Miss Cassandra,” he said. “Maybe we’ll get some setbacks but it’s beginning.”

• Dodie Smith, I Capture the Castle