<I>Many people would like to write for the Suffolk Gazette, but this application, received via email last night, shows promise</I>

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you in order to apply for the recently advertised post of Hampshire Correspondent of the Suffolk Gazette.

Like you, I am only too aware of how far apart our two counties seem to be. It is funny to think that as recently as 1853 a man could walk between Winchester and Ipswich in as little as 8 hours, but due to drastic coastal erosion in both counties (and the ensuing closure of the footbridge) this is no longer possible.

As you say in the advertisement, care must be exercised with the advent of this new post. I imagine that hurts within the hearts of many Suffolk folk might be awakened. No doubt the very sound of "Hampshire Correspondent" will bring to mind the blazing summer of 1976 when every man, woman and child within Suffolk went without water in their taps for 8 weeks so that the Solent would not run dry.

The people of Hampshire, and especially the Red Funnel Ferry Company (that runs daily services to-and-from the Isle of Wight), will never forget the kindness of the people of Suffolk almost 40 years ago.

It is therefore with one eye on our shared history and another on my ability to report the truth with clarity and objectivity that I submit this application for the post.

If appointed I would hope to be able to submit a factually-accurate and newsworthy story every week or so for your publication (of which I am a tremendous fan).

Faithfully,
I.F