They said ‘if the Guardian says it, it must be true’

12:36pm Wednesday 8th October 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

THE Guardian has held a special place in the hearts of its loyal readers for generations.

Our office has been at the hub of the community for almost 150 years, with readers calling in, ringing us and writing to us to exchange information and talk about the issues that matter most to them.

Of course now, with the digital revolution in full swing, our website has given readers a new, much quicker way of interacting directly with us and with each other – a far cry from the Guardian world Evelyn Ward entered into as a receptionist in 1953.

When Evelyn joined the paper our office was in Witton Street, opposite the current Iceland store which was formerly a Co-op.

The 89-year-old said: “At that time Witton Street was not pedestrianised and double-decker buses travelled up and down. They used to stop outside the Co-op and the young reporters used to put their reports on the bus to send them to Warrington.

“When Northwich changed they had to go to the bus terminus.

“All of the reporters then were local boys and went on to big newspapers.”

Evelyn remembers the reporters’ routine well and said they used to go to the police station every morning and court on a Tuesday – regular weekly trips to the police station and court are just as big a part of our reporters’ routine now.

Evelyn, who lives in Weaverham, has fond memories of the different queries she used to get at the office.

“People would ring from the pub and say things like ‘we’ve got a bet on, when was the central cinema burnt down?’,” she said.

“If anyone wanted to know anything they would ask the Guardian and people used to think if the Guardian said it it must be true.

“I really enjoyed working at the Guardian.”

As we prepare for our move to Theatre Court on Friday, Evelyn remembers two other moves – one from opposite the Co-op to near the library and the move to our current location in Market Street, which used to be a butchers’ shop.

We would welcome memories from other members of staff, readers and contacts – both past and present.

Ring chief reporter Gina Bebbington with all your stories on 01606 813624 or email gbebbington@guardiangrp.co.uk.