The County Press’s trusty filing system reveals it was way back in 1989 that Charlotte Hofton started conversing with then editor Peter Hurst about the potential of writing a column.
History shows it wasn’t until 1996 she actually began a regular slot in the paper but 21 years later she has decided to snap her CP quill over her knee and go on to other challenges.
Over the years she has pricked the pompous, ridiculed the ridiculous and put many an overstuffed politician in his/her place.
And she has written much to ponder on serious subjects, such as assisted dying, on which she had strong yet considered views.
Yes, she has offended a few over the years (most recently, unintentionally those involved with IW Pride), but equally a good number of readers have told me how she is our best asset amid a torrent of praise for her writing.
So, following only a few years after the tragic death of Keith Newbery, his 'lady in the basement’ (a reference to when his column was above hers on the page) is leaving the below-stairs flat that became a bijou home in a sought-after location.
She will be missed by her CP colleagues and, I am sure, by the readers. We wish her well and I am working on a plan to keep up the standard of comment and opinion in the paper.