When I told people I was taking up the editor role of The Press and Gazette & Herald, I was repeatedly told what a lovely place York is.
Whether it is the tourist hotspots such as the Minster or Shambles, the trendy bars and cafes or the green spaces and cultural attractions, York really does have a lot going for it.
As the new editor, I am incredibly excited by this opportunity to lead a newspaper which is the mouthpiece of the city and surrounding areas, to get to the heart of the issues which matter to you most.
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Newsrooms are constantly evolving places with the introduction of new technologies and AI but the essence of capturing a good story remains the same. Newspapers need reporters who will explore community matters and hold authorities to account where necessary.
As an introduction to myself, I joined as editor from another Newsquest title, the Oxford Mail, where I was a digital editor. Leaving as the newspaper was named the Newsquest Brand of the Year means I am moving away from my comfort zone, relocating more than three hours north.
Before my time at Oxford, I was a senior reporter at the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News in Norfolk.
But I am very familiar with Yorkshire having studied a Master's in Journalism at Sheffield University having also been there for my undergraduate degree studying history.
With family living in the area, York is a place I have visited many times so I am well aware of how much of a jewel the city is in the north of England.
York is a highly desirable city for tourists and locals alike, and I am joining at an exciting time.
The football team is back in the EFL after a dramatic last gasp win over Rochdale to earn promotion from League Two, while major projects are taking place such as the works at the National Railway Museum.
Of course, the York Knights are also in the Super League after achieving promotion to rugby league's top tier last season. Let's hope the team can turn around their fortunes on the pitch after a testing few weeks has seen them fall towards the bottom of the table.
I am keen to hear what you, the readers, think about The Press and Gazette & Herald.
I have plans to cover campaigns for the newspaper which directly affect the daily lives of people across the city, whether that is plans to restore the high street shopping experience, the impact of the property market on young people or raising awareness of how safe the city is at night.
Is there a particular topic or subject you would like us to cover more? Likewise, is there an area you would like us to improve?
Feel free to get in touch and share your thoughts by contacting me on ben.hardy@newsquest.co.uk.