A first-generation Guardian reader, he loves its 'distinctly more selective' letters page, and reserves at least half an hour each morning to go through the paper in bed
As a paper boy in Liverpool I had very few Guardians to deliver, and in the south coast town I now live in I'm the only reader on our paper boy's round. My family didn't read it and still don't – I'm a first-generation Guardian reader.
I began taking the paper when I started working in higher education, in my 20s. I'm now getting into my 60s – I've stayed loyal every day, even while living abroad. I follow the same routine nearly every day: make up the breakfast tray, pick up the Guardian, go back to bed for at least half an hour's read before getting ready for work – if it arrives late it ruins my day. And Saturday morning in bed with the paper is a sheer pleasure.
It's the paper with a greater depth and thus I find others lightweight comparatively, a bit too chatty for me. The format distinguishes it, and it's perfect for reading in bed! My route through the paper is consistent: Country diary (I enjoy birdwatching and walking in the countryside), letters page, Comment section. I don't usually take much time over G2, but on a good day I devour it all.
In my younger days I had a phase of writing to the paper, mainly about education. There are a few Guardian readers at work; we all read the same articles and like to get together to discuss them. I've had periods of writing to other publications, but the ease of getting published gave little satisfaction, compared with appearing on the Guardian's letters page, which is distinctly more selective.