Thank you - a message from the editor as the St Helens Star turns 50

As you might have seen in recent weeks and months, in print and online, we've been taking something of a nostalgic adventure looking back over the Star down the decades.

There’s been an emphasis on some of the early years and what made this newspaper what it is today, but also a reflection on what has changed and what has stayed the same.

We’re very proud to be turning 50.

The local and regional newspaper industry has been a tough place over the past 15 years or so, with the rise in digital news and social media – as well as the tech giants’ absorption of advertising revenues – meaning publishers have had to make major adaptations.

The Star – owned by Newsquest, one of the UK’s biggest local news publishers – has faced those headwinds of change, which has led to the world of publishing production and distribution of news being radically different from the one in the 70s and 80s.

And though it has not been an easy course to navigate, we now stand as the town’s only local newspaper, with a loyal readership in healthy numbers that now pays for the newspaper each week.

We also have online and social media followings in the tens of thousands and a growing band of digital subscribers.

Many of you still love your trusty Star in print, we know that, which is why we have put so much effort into increasing the amount of editorial content to make it shape up like a traditional paid-for newspaper would do.

But an enormous amount of energy goes into the digital side of things, which is very much a 24/7 operation these days and allows our reporting team to deliver you more news and sports stories than ever before – and produce and circulate the the big breaking news to your smartphones and laptops within seconds.

With the hard work, endeavour and skill that has brought about these changes, the Star has earned recognition over the past decade – two O2 North West free weekly newspaper of the year titles and shortlisting at the Regional Press Awards by the Society of Editors.

We’re humble enough to know we’re not perfect and the speed at which we have to work these days means sometimes things go wrong.

But – in a world where accurate and informed messages suffer due to the wild west of social media chat – we believe our dedicated and professionally trained journalists ensure we are the trusted source for local news and information.

It is those team members (past and present), along with sales teams and production members, who have made the Star what it is today.

Just like when we started out 50 years ago, the Star aims to be our readers’ friend.

A friend there in the good times – to celebrate a massive achievement such as a colossal Saints win, the opening of a new business, the heroic actions of the man or woman on the street or the success of a talented school pupil.

But a friend also there in the tough times, delivering messages about tragic events in our community or the closure of a much-loved business or amenity. And a friend that’s there to ask the hard questions too when those in authority fail us, or when the justice system lets you down.

We hope some of those themes are reflected in these pages.

We’ve deliberately not made it too heavy a read – as we know the news can be tough at times – so enjoy the features about our campaigns, Saints, Whalley’s World and a look over the early editions of the Star.

As we prepare to raise a toast to our landmark in a couple of weeks, we also want to say a few thank yous.

Firstly to our loyal readers and contributors who have been a part of the Star family down the years. Secondly, to the advertisers, those of today and others of yesteryear, who have supported us and used the Star as the trusted platform for their message.

And finally to our brilliant team – again past and present. There are too many names to mention, people who have made massive contributions and regularly gone that extra mile.

It is your endeavours that have got us to this point and today, November 8, we’ll raise a glass to you.