I MOVED to Stroud from Swansea two months ago to work for the SNJ as a trainee reporter and I am starting to get to know the area well.

The first time I visited the town was on a Saturday morning with the farmer’s market in full flow.

I instantly knew that it would be a great place to move to.

Every weekend, I still enjoy waking up early on a Saturday morning to see what I can buy in the farmer’s market.

Another thing that has impressed me are the abundance of independent shops in the area.

I really like that the town centre is full of these independent retailers selling all manner of items including toys, clothes, food and coffee.

People are also extremely friendly.

I relish going for a run down the canal when the weather permits and I have done the parkrun which, despite being hilly, is a lot of fun.

A particular highlight of my week is going to Galgos Latino on a Tuesday evening for the Spanish-English conversation class.

I have made friends with people from Spain and Venezuela, as well as Stroudies learning Spanish - it is a pleasant evening and I look forward to it returning in early 2022.

They even serve my favourite Spanish beer there, Estrella Galicia.

As an avid reader, I find browsing in the different bookshops a wonderful experience, especially after a hard week's work.

I thoroughly enjoyed Laurie Lee’s As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning, which is a memoir from the Stroud author, detailing his trip from Slad to Spain in the 1930s.

Coming from a Spanish background, I have done the opposite.

In terms of the SNJ, I have particularly enjoyed discussing how Stroud could be improved with the potential Levelling Up Fund and breaking the news that Tricorn House was going to be up for sale.

No two days in the job are the same.

Despite all this, I know there is much more for me to discover.

Stroud and its surrounding areas are beautiful.

If you have any stories, or want to recommend anything, email me at @james.felton@newsquest.co.uk