EDITOR’S COMMENT: 160 years and counting, here is the news . . .

“The Bury Free Press will be open to communications from all parties. We invite assistance and suggestions from every class. We shall not afford space to gratify personal resentment or disappointed spleen.”

That was the opening gambit from the Bury Free Press when it launched back in 1855. I wonder if its founders imagined reporters would still be filling its pages in the 21st century using digital advances far beyond what they could have imagined back then.

Well the good news is, they are! And now more than ever before, our readers are part of the fabric of the paper, contributing more news, more pictures and more comments than ever before.

For any news organisation, the printed word is key – but with social networking, web, mobile, too, there are so many ways for you to interact with us and for us to reach you.

So as 2015 dawns, I’ll simply wish your Bury Free Press a very happy birthday and a long and distinguished future.