New York, London, Paris, Munich… I’ve lived in all of them at some point or other, and a few other places besides. But I can honestly say none of them can quite match Macclesfield for character.

It was just a stop on the train up to Glasgow when I had my first job in Scotland; then a place of curiosity as the late great Brian Redhead referred to it frequently on Radio 4’s Today in glowing tones.

Little did I imagine, as a lowly reporter on the same programme, that I would one day end up there myself.

Brian lived in Rainow, of course. And somehow, when we were looking for somewhere to live in the North West, it became the magnet that drew us irresistibly in.

What a great choice it was. Up in the hills, we’ve had the joy of waking up every day to glorious views, whatever the weather. Which is fortunate, as there’s been plenty of it!

But there’s been so much more to living here than just the countryside. What’s so admirable about Macclesfield is that it’s a town that really makes an effort. Other places may boast farmers’ food stalls and the like, but none can surely compare to the monthly festival that is the Treacle Market.

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We loved our fortnightly visits to the Heritage Centre to see the latest cinematic offering from the Silk Screen Society.

And pulling pints at the Beer Festival was an experience I’ll never forget – though a couple of glasses more, and I probably would have.

We’ve got plenty of memories to keep us going when we leave, thanks in part to the bijou items we couldn’t help bidding on at Adam Partridge’s Auction Rooms.

The masterpiece was the grand mirror, which looked fine when we bought it – until we couldn’t get it through the front door.

It hasn’t just been Macclesfield we’ve fallen for. There’s been Rainow, of course, and Bollington. Who couldn’t love a place that has not one, but two breweries? Where the shopkeepers seem to know all their customers by name; where sometimes they’ll open up to help you when they’re already closed (cheers, Chris); and where a pub will even serve you a pint when you and your dogs are soaking wet and – more importantly – you’ve got no money (thank you Cotton Tree!).

What will we miss? The best bread in the region, for starters – from Flour Water Salt in Derby Villas. Paul Robinshaw’s one-day course on bread making is a lot of fun, by the way. The finest cup of coffee from Jo and Dave at Livesey’s, with cheeky banter on the side at no extra charge.

And the staff at Macclesfield station, surely among the friendliest on the network. I suppose it’s all about engagement. People in this part of the world will take the opportunity to stop and have a chat, when others might just walk on by.

So if you love it so much, I hear you ask, why are you leaving? Well, the family is down south, and so too is the work. I may be rolling off the Breakfast sofa but I’m not retiring, and my next employment opportunities will require me to be in London.

We actually stayed twice as long as originally planned. BBC Breakfast is now well settled in its new home and my job is done. But I couldn’t have found a nicer place to end my career with the Corporation. Thank you, Macclesfield, you’ve been a great friend. I’m sure we’ll meet again before too long.