It's time to say goodbye (From Warrington Guardian)

It's time to say goodbye

This is my last-ever Papercuts column. I'm off to pastures new - in January I become editor of the Guardian's sister paper, the Runcorn and Widnes World.

I'd like to thank everyone who has read this column in the two years that I've been writing it.

I've had loads of feedback, which has been great, and I hope it's afforded readers the odd chuckle here and there, as well as subjecting our public organisations to closer scrutiny.

I've covered a wide range of subjects, from the birth of my daughter (who is now nearly two) to the history of the Appleton home of George Harrison's parents; from the Crosfields transporter bridge to the town's Legh Street swimming baths. And it looks likely that my suggestion of a permanent tribute to the late Pete McCarthy is to come to fruition with the help of the Pyramid centre.

My comments over the years have provoked criticism from some quarters.

When I bemoaned Warrington's traffic problems, I was taken to task by the cycling lobby. I might not be Chris Boardman yet, but I did take on board what they said.

I know I ruffled a few feathers at the council over some of my comments, particularly their handling of the swimming baths.

And when I lampooned earnest press officers over their use of cloudy, jargonistic language, I know I touched a nerve.

I'll never forget when I began this column, it was billed as a satirical look at the news. In that debut piece, I made tongue-in-cheek suggestions about using the town's 'skittles' as a northern version of Stonehenge as a way of countering council tax increases.

One reader got hot under the collar and sent me the definition of the word 'satire'.

I'm sure my family will be pleased at the passing of this column as their lives will no longer be put under the microscope.

It's been a long and winding road... and I've enjoyed every minute.

Goodbye.