Goodbye Stowmarket: Community reporter Sam Harrison leaves the Bury Free Press and SuffolkNews

sam.harrison@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 03 November 2023

I am sad to say that I am leaving the Bury Free Press and SuffolkNews and I will no longer be covering the news coming out of Stowmarket.

From pubs opening to Oscar the Tesco Cat’s cheeky shenanigans, it’s been a privilege to bring you the news in the weekly newspaper as well as online.

I came into this role with little knowledge of Stowmarket – but after 18 months, I have grown to respect and admire this town’s fantastic community.

I’m sad to be leaving the Bury Free Press and saying goodbye to Stowmarket, but I’m also excited for what the future holds. Picture: Mecha Morton

I won an award from the NCTJ for a lighthearted community story testing the limitations of ChatGPT. Picture: Mecha Morton

In that time, my community page, Stowmarket Focus, was printed in nearly 80 editions of the Bury Free Press, my Facebook group devoted to the town’s news attracted more than 900 members and I was able to publish more than 620 online news articles – many linked within this story.

I was also lucky enough to have two front pages with my article on the A14 roadworks which left villages landlocked and my story sharing Gary Welsh’s heartbreaking stage four bowel cancer diagnosis at the age of 34.

One particular highlight for me was my coverage of the boundary row between Stowmarket and Onehouse where I was able to meet and speak with many residents in person to understand and report on a range of views surrounding the Mill Grove housing estate.

Here I am with Cllr Dave Muller, PC Stefan Henriksen and police cadet Felix Whiting during my day with the police. Picture: Stowmarket Town Council

My Stowmarket Focus group on Facebook currently has more than 900 members. Picture: SuffolkNews

I also really enjoyed my venture with Stowmarket Police where I shadowed PC Stefan Henriksen looking at what a day in the life is like for the town’s officers.

Another personal favourite was the video story I created after meeting Jake Andrade from Combs who was diagnosed with cancer twice by the age of 20 and released a book about his experiences.

Away from Stowmarket, I was also given the chance to cover the BurySOUND music competition which I loved and I won awards for my efforts in podcasting and for a light-hearted story looking at funny capabilities of the AI model Chat GPT.

I would like to thank all the Stowmarket businesses, groups and charities I have worked with and I sincerely hope my news coverage was able to attract some attention to your amazing local news, events, projects and products.

This photo was taken to promote the launch of my SuffolkNews podcast, Good Morning Suffolk. Picture: Mecha Morton

I supported student Amelie Vertigan who was doing some work experience in the BFP offices. Picture: Mecha Morton

Stowmarket has changed so much since I first started, with many town centre businesses closing their doors, and I’m sure Stowmarket will continue to change going forward.

The town has its challenges, just like any Suffolk town, but the overwhelming community spirit coming from every corner is something all residents should be proud of.

Thank you for sharing your stories with me and being a part of this wonderful journey.

Bury St Edmunds In Depth Needham Market Stowmarket Suffolk Homepage Sam Harrison