I WOULD like to congratulate the Gazette on this very important anniversary and milestone.

I feel confident that the reason it has survived, succeeded and grown into such a successful paper is that it has kept in contact with its grass roots. It reports with honesty and integrity, people trust it.

Although it benefits from being part of a larger group, it has not lost its local identity. People still feel they can write to the Editor about whatever concerns them, however small and trivial it may seem and the letters seem to attract a lively response.

At South Gloucestershire Council we very much value the contribution the Gazette makes to this community.