Just like that, another academic year draws to a close, which also means my time as Gair Rhydd’s editor-in-chief has come to an end. It feels like both a blink of an eye and a lifetime ago when I was first appointed as editor, excited yet nervous about what the next year would bring.
With eight newspapers and one varsity special, being Gair Rhydd’s editor-in-chief has been an honour. From celebrating our 50th birthday to reporting from the BAFTA Cymru awards, the team has tried its best to document everything happening in our capital and beyond. I have certainly experienced many firsts, from running around Cardiff to deliver the latest edition to writing my first (and most likely last) sports report. I have learned so much from the entire process and everyone I have met throughout my time with Gair Rhydd.
The last year has been a rollercoaster, in which I’ve no doubt felt every possible emotion. I can’t deny that it’s always been easy trying to balance various deadlines and technical hiccups that always seem to happen at the worst times. However, any stress of the week before instantly melts away once I hold the latest copy of Gair Rhydd, filled with brilliant articles from students studying courses across the University. A personal highlight must be winning Best Welsh Publication at the SPA Awards and getting recognized for all our hard work over the last year.
I’d like to take this opportunity to give a massive thank you to the amazing editorial team, who I wouldn’t have been able to work without. From heads of sections to our digital and social media teams, Gair Rhydd wouldn’t exist without the collaboration of so many passionate and talented students. The Volunteering, Society, and Media Awards was the perfect evening to come together and celebrate everyone’s achievements from across all student media platforms this year.
I would also like to share my gratitude with our contributors, who week in, and week out fill our pages with thought-provoking articles, highlighting the diverse perspectives and interests of students from across the university. Lastly, thank you to you, our readers. Thank you for picking up a copy of our paper and supporting our work, it really has meant the world.
It’s bittersweet to be passing on the baton, marking the end of an amazing three years at Cardiff University, but I know that the paper will be in the safest hands with the next editor-in-chief, Edward Sutton. From contributor to news editor to editor-in-chief, I now look forward to my newest role as a passionate Gair Rhydd reader.