A reader who moved from Manchester to London to New Zealand and back talks about her favourite parts of the Guardian
I grew up in Manchester, so was always conscious of the Guardian. In the 1970s I got a job in the advertising department of the Manchester Evening News. I fancied getting down to London, and in those days you could transfer, so I did. It was an incredible time. My sister and I lived together. We had no money but we used to just wander down the King's Road and see who we could spot.
The advertising manager at the time was evangelical in his quest to "save the Guardian". We did this by calling the advertisers of media, social work and education jobs in the Telegraph to tell them they wanted to attract Guardian readers. It was fun, but I did take a lot of stick for my accent – I was often asked if we kept whippets under the table and the coal in the bath.
Later I got my teaching qualifications and moved to New Zealand. It felt like going back in time. I missed the papers so much so my mum gave me an annual subscription to the international version, and it was my lifeline.
Since I've come back to the UK I take the paper every day. I like Simon Hoggart and Michael Billington's reviews, and my partner, a Kiwi, uses the paper to further his English-language education. He reads the sports pages with a dictionary and often has to check out unknown vocabulary.
I love the arts reviews and the travel section, I look forward to seeing what Steve Bell has come up with every day, and I plan my outings using the weekly Guide. Life would indeed be dull without the daily Guardian.