As The Express arrives at the end of its 200th year in print, we’ve got a lot to write  about.

To mark our double centenary starting on February 2, 2011, our year-long party has featured radio shows, special pull-outs, open days, Treacle stalls, a Barnaby exhibition – and even the specially-brewed Bicentenniale, named by a reader and  launched at  Bollington Brewery.

We’ve had tributes from councillors, Macclesfield Town FC, local firms, Silk Town celebrities, our MP – and even PM David Cameron sent his congratulations.

Readers were equally supportive  throughout the year, writing us letters and joining us at the open day we held at the Barnaby Festival, with an exhibition at our Macclesfield office near Market Place.

We’ve appreciated all the feedback but we’ve made a real effort to reach out too.

From February 2, we launched four weeks of special supplements. They covered the history of the town’s heritage – its silk industry, royal visits, wartime life and sporting heroes – and of the newspaper, with fascinating insights from key figures in the community. Our controversial columnist Vic Barlow joined former editor Dave Lafferty on community Canalside Radio.

There followed discussions on the founding of the paper in 1811, how the paper reported the two world wars and former editor Doug ‘Mr Macc’ Pickford explained how the Courier became the Express in 1960.

And it wouldn’t have been a party without veteran photographer Gerry Henshall, who reflected on his incredible 50 years at the paper and some of the memorable stories he covered.

At our Treacle Market stall we enjoyed meeting readers, hearing what you think of the paper and getting new stories.

In November we sponsored the spectacular  inaugural Macclesfield and Wilmslow Business Awards – recognition of local  businesses booming despite difficult times.

Judy Gordon, current Macclesfield Express editor, said: “We’ve had a thoroughly enjoyable year, looking back and celebrating our first two centuries in print while continuing to produce even bigger and better newspapers, containing more local stories than ever.

“We are helping to Make It Macc  and celebrating a town determined to maintain its special place in Cheshire.”

Over 200 years,  reporters, photographers and editors have come and gone, technology has changed dramatically and Macclesfield has faced tough challenges. But our determination and passion to stay at the heart of this community and be first with your news are as strong as ever.

Here’s to the next 200 years...