Farewell to King Street

As from Thursday, Fern Court will be the new home of The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times’ editorial team.

While the majority of the reporters have been looking forward to moving into a modern office, as I cleared my desk and packed my belongings into a box to take to the new place, I had a lump in my throat. I began recalling the very first day I began my career in local journalism at the King Street office.

On September 8th, 2003, I joined The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times as a trainee reporter. It seems like a long time ago, but I must admit, time has flown. On my first day, old school journalist Tim Procter, who sadly died of a heart attack a month after I started, gave me a tour of the town. Among the first sights that really caught my attention were the town’s pretty shops and stunning panoramic views from Clitheroe Castle.

I was delighted to work in such a beautiful town and within weeks I discovered that more than providing a news service, the newspaper was part of the community itself and held in high regard, with people reading it from cover to cover on its publication day every Thursday.

Over the years we have had some good times here, worked with wonderful people who have either left for pastures new, or retired. One of the memorable times for the team was when the newspaper switched from broadsheet to the current tabloid format in 2004 – a move which was followed by a record sale for the paper in it first week as a tabloid.

There is a lot of history here, but unfortunately the building is no longer fit for purpose. The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times’ history goes back to 1868 with the foundation of The Clitheroe Advertiser by John Cowgill. A rival publication, The Clitheroe Times, started in 1889; the two joined forces in 1920 under the current title. And its significance has not faded with time, in fact, it still enjoys a very loyal readership.

While there is a bit of nostalgia about leaving the old office, the good news is that news team is staying in Clitheroe. So, it’s a fond farewell to the King Street office as we turn a new page in the illustrious history of The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times.