This article was written by Alex Jones, your primary Penarth Nub News journalist for the past 12 months.

Dear devoted readers,

It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing the end of my time with Nub News.

Since moving to this wonderful town last year and starting my first job as a reporter, I have told the widest variety of stories imaginable.

From lost cats and council spats to fundraisers and feel-good features, one thing has been common to all my articles - people who care about Penarth and its residents.

I feel I could write a book about my short (and often strange) time here. Instead, how about a flashback to my favourite story?

In late February, I received a call from Augusta Crescent resident Jane Musson. Her daughter Anna Musson, who has down's syndrome, was about to start a one-month sponsored walk to raise money for Vale Plus, the Barry-based day centre for disabled people.

With her father Tim, Anna planned to walk two miles from their house on Augusta Crescent down to Penarth Pier, up through Alexandra Park and the town centre before returning home.

Jane politely asked me to help publicise the fundraiser and to possibly join the duo on their first walk.

"If we could raise £100 that would be wonderful," she said.

On 1 March, I met Jane, Tim and Anna on the Pier. They were roughly halfway through their walk and in great spirits.

After a heartwarming interview and photoshoot, together we headed back towards the seafront. Several residents stopped to offer encouragement and their donations.

I've probably used the term "community rallies to..." over 50 times in the past year, but never more appropriately than when I was able to report on 1 April that Penarth had come together to raise £5,373 for the charity.

"You are all fantastic," Anna told the people of Penarth as she completed her final walk.

I re-tell this story because it epitomises the true spirit of this town and what it can achieve. Community is a rare thing nowadays, and I am sad to be leaving the one I have stumbled upon here.

In just a few weeks, I head up to Newcastle to start the next stage of my career, and I hope to speak with many of my trusted contacts before I leave. But to those who have only met me through my articles, I would like to take this opportunity to bid you farewell. Thank you for making me feel so welcome in your town.

The site is being left in the more-than-capable hands of my colleague Ellyn. She wanted to add the following words:

"You might recognise my name already, as for the past 10 months I have been working alongside Alex on our other South Wales sites, Cowbridge and Barry.

I first moved here to study in 2016 and loved it so much I never left! In 2020 I completed my journalism qualifications while getting to grips with online lectures and remote exams through the pandemic.

It was during this time that I heard about Nub News and loved the local community focus. Soon after I came on board!

I'm as sad as you are to see Alex go, but I'm excited to now be covering Penarth and continue bringing hyperlocal news to your doorstep."