Rosie Dawson-Hewes. Editor of the Bay News. Photo/John Borren
Rosie Dawson-Hewes. Editor of the Bay News. Photo/John Borren
There is nothing I love more than hearing from you, our dear readers. It is one of the great joys of this job.
While the logical part of me knows you're out there, sometimes it feels like we create this paper, my weekly baby, and send it out into thegreat, wide yonder, with no real signs of whether you enjoy it... or read it at all!
But every now and then, one of you peeps your head up (or comments on our Facebook page) and reminds us you are out there.
If you ask me a question, or send me any feedback, really, I will always respond. It's the polite thing to do. Plus, I firmly believe that what you put out into the universe, you get back in spades.
I see it as part of my role, my weekly responsibility, to do so. After all,I am here to serve you, our readers.
Every now and then I get physical letters. In these times of emails, texts and social media, it would be very easy to put responding to these in the too hard basket and leave it at that.
About six weeks ago I received a hand-written letter from a distressed reader. I dutifully typed out a response, printed it, signed it and popped it in the post, even though it only pointed the reader in the direction of those who could actually help with their request, as I was unable to.
At the time, it took a lot of effort to respond. After all, the reader only provided a postal address. I couldn't even pick up the phone to explain. But I set aside the time, and responded.
And earlier this week, in the midst of a very busy, somewhat messy day, the universe sent me back my effort, in spades.
The dear reader I'd posted that letter to was so apologetic about her mis-directed query that she sent me flowers.
It was completely unnecessary, of course, but also completely lovely.
So, to Rae, you were my ray of sunshine on a grey day. Thank you so much for your incredibly kind gesture!
And to all our other readers, please do get in touch. Hearing from you always makes my day. If we can all make each other's day a wee bit brighter, it will make the Bay an even more spectacular place to live, work and play.
