ON my first day at work, I drove into a pillar in a car park.

I can still remember my sense of mortification as I sat on the floor trying to pull the wheel arch away from my tyre so I could drive with my training officer to my first job.

It was an inauspicious start but a start nevertheless of a career with Newsquest, which has, so far, spanned 30 years.

I had wanted to be a journalist from the age of 14.

My first foray into journalism came when I was the self-appointed editor of the school magazine, followed by work experience at the Leigh Times, the Echo, the Dagenham Post, Essex Chronicle and Daily Mirror.

I dutifully followed the advice of seasoned journalists, learnt shorthand and typing, and completed a degree in English Literature at the University of London, Goldsmiths College.

And, after a year’s journalism course at Harlow College, I began work as a trainee reporter with the Gazette in July 1986.

Three decades have passed in the blink of an eye, even though I have worked through one of the most challenging periods in the history of newspapers with the introduction of the internet and 24/7 accessible news feeds.

But while technology has progressed at a rapid pace, the principles of journalism have remained the same.

Truth and transparency are fundamental and journalists must combine being creative with being informative.

If life is a tapestry, mine has been rich and diverse and for that I am truly thankful.

One of my first interviewees, whilst I was still at college, was with England footballing legend Bobby Moore, who was, at the time, the manager of Southend United Football Club.

I remember him being tall and extremely tolerant of my questions.

During my career, I have also interviewed Prime Ministers and Secretaries of State, attended Royal visits and covered cases at the High Court and the Old Bailey (where I accidentally sat in the dock mistaking it for the press bench).

I was famously and firmly put in my place by Baroness Thatcher who slapped me down with a one-liner so skilful it was reported in the following day’s Daily Telegraph.

I have interviewed convicted killer Jeremy Bamber in Category A prisons and peers in the House of Lords. I have reported on the life of former Maldon MP Lord Wakeham after he was injured and widowed in the Brighton bombing and Colchester Garrison’s involvement in two Gulf wars and the war in Afghanistan.

At some points over the years, journalism lost its way a little and, to a degree, the public’s respect. However, I am still a profound believer that journalism is a force for good.

It is a cornerstone of democracy and justice. It holds the powers that be to account, it strives for transparency and exposes wrong-doing. One of its greatest assets is to give people a voice.

Through the paper, I have had the opportunities to be part of campaigns which have both improved and saved lives including the introduction of Cassie’s Law. Thanks to the paper, Alderman Blaxill School in Colchester was saved, for 20 years at least, from closure.

Now the paper is working on its biggest campaign in its history for a £4.5 million cancer centre at Colchester General Hospital.

Newspapers are forever evolving and the introduction of the internet has had a huge impact on print journalism.

When it was first introduced, we followed a 30 page booklet of instructions to upload each story to a website.

Now it happens with the click of a button and the relationship between printed and internet news is complementary rather than in competition.

Newspapers are, in my view, vitally important. They record history both through celebrating achievements as well recording disasters.

As I look back (partly in denial) over 30 years as a journalist, I feel privileged for the opportunities I have had, and to have represented the community which our papers serve.

I have seen Colchester grow, schools open, new roads built.

I have flown a glider, climbed on to the roof of Jumbo and fed the tigers.

I have worked long nights - and early mornings - on General Elections and seen MPs come and go. I have reported on murders, the terrible aftermath of IRA bombings and hostage takings. I have followed a tank stolen from Colchester Garrison by a lovesick soldier wanting to go home.

But the stories I remember most are those of ordinary people who do extraordinary things - of mothers who care for disabled children with unquestioning love and patience, of people who demonstrated outstanding courage in overcoming terrible situations to rebuild their lives.

A friend asked me if I found my job depressing.

It is true we do report on tragedies and that has been incredibly sad. We never forget them.

But I have also been repeatedly inspired by the tenacity and humility of so many people and feel privileged they have trusted me to tell their story.

It is too easy to take a swipe at journalists but those I work with are incredibly dedicated and hard-working and, what is more, they are making a difference. There is, frankly, still no other job I would rather do.

  •  Gazette editor James Wills said: “I know I also speak for my predecessors when I say our newspapers, and North Essex, owe Wendy immense gratitude.

“Her superb work, particularly on countless campaigns, has benefitted not only the paper but also the local community.

“She is widely-respected by so many local people, from all walks of life, and can be rightly proud of her contribution to journalism in this area. Through hard work, talent and determination, she has made a real difference to people’s lives for the better and there is no greater testament to her than that."