Thank you Paula

Today was a day tinged with sadness because we bade farewell to Paula, who has worked as a sub-editor with our company for 16 years.

I have worked with her for half of that time and we were also travelling buddies for the best part of those eight years.

We travelled by bus together when we were based in Gloucester, did the same when we were all shunted off to Cheltenham, and then went by train together when we were moved again - this time to Bristol.

From the day I joined the company, Paula has always been a loyal, supportive and incredibly hard-working colleague. And she has an amazing knowledge not only of our local area, but much further beyond.

She also has a wonderful, compassionate side to her. If ever a colleague was going through a bad patch, Paula was always there for them.

One of her daughters and my eldest son were in the same class together at school. Faith is now studying for her doctorate, while Guy has just gained his masters at Cambridge. Paula has always shown a keen interest in Guy's progress - and I find that really touching.

She's also a real character and I'll miss daily bulletins on topics ranging from the new mattress being the wrong size to mice invading the dog food!

Paula, I know you read this journal. I should have got up and told everyone at the office what a star you had been. Hopefully telling the world wide web will make up for that.

I hope everything works out for you and that, most of all, you have the happiest time away from the daily grind of newspaper subbing.