Spotting the well-known resident cat Larry was definitely an emphasize of my journey to Number 10 Downing Street / Reporter Sue Plunkett

And last month I strolled through the doors of number 10, Downing Street.

I was chosen to go to a regional media champs’ reception by Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham in acknowledgment of 37 years as a paper press reporter, 23 of them at the Burnley Express. It definitely was an excitement to stroll through that well-known black door into the enforcing corridor and staircase lined with pictures of Prime Ministers.

My very first genuine recollection of comprehending the significance of the Downing Street address was throughout the1979 General Election when Margaret Thatcher was chosen as the nation’s very first female PM. Even at the age of 13 I had my eye on ending up being a reporter so I had a genuine interest in politics and world affairs.

And while a number of my university good friends and previous coworkers have actually gone on to create professions in the nationwide media I was constantly happy to’ man the home front,’ initially at the Accrington Observer, where I worked for 12 years, followed by the Express.

The Downing Street reception, where I got the chance to satisfy reporters from throughout the UK, was hosted by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lucy Frazer who said: “local journalism helps local areas stay connected, generates local pride and keeps communities engaged in local issues. Local journalists capture the heart of our communities and make sure politicians are doing their jobs better by holding them to account.”

I actually hope that what Ms Frazer said holds true. And while the paper market has actually altered considerably over the previous couple of years, I still enjoy my job and it’s not a cliche to state that no 2 days are the exact same.

From composing stories about fund raising projects for individuals with harmful health problems to posts about businesses and households resisting the tide as the cost of living crisis bites to covering royal gos to and elections, as a regional reporter your heart needs to remain in the job and mine constantly has actually been.

We have our critics, however what organisation doesn’t? It’s just when you hear another person explain your function that you understand that yes, we can make a distinction to individuals’s lives. As our own MP said it’s simple to take regional journalism for approved as one of those things that ‘will always be there.’

He said:” In Burnley we’re lucky that we still have the Burnley Express as our regional paper – keeping us upgraded on whatever from what’s going on at the football club, to the fantastic work of regional charities and businesses. And unlike the huge nationwide media business, this is run by a little however devoted group of individuals who enjoy whatever about Burnley and I wish to state a big thank you to the entire Burnley Express group.”

I completely enjoyed my journey to number 10 and among the highlights needs to be finding Larry the resident cat who has actually appeared on television as sometimes as his well-known owners.