Well would you believe it, it’s been a year since I started writing for GayLeeds.com. A year! How time flies. Whilst I’m not about to pull a Halle Berry, I hope you’ll allow me the indulgence to take a little look back over the past year and to say a few thanks.

I joined GayLeeds after Sarah read a couple of blogs I’d written over at The Culture Vulture. GayLeeds was pretty new and was just getting started - Sarah has grown it into a popular, thriving site which allows the gay scene a platform for discussion and promotion. My role in the development of GayLeeds hasn’t been overly large, but I’m proud to still be a part of it after this time. I suppose it was somewhat of a risk hiring someone who wasn’t too well known on the scene for a column, and I guess I might still look a little out of place amongst the more colourful and familiar faces on the contributing list, but I’m thankful that Sarah allows me my space on here and continues to let me ramble away on my soap box.

GayLeeds has allowed me to improve upon my writing immensely - writing (almost!) every week has been great practise in writing and developing my own style. I’ve become better at my ‘day job’ copywriting duties as a result, I think. I look back at some of my blogs and cringe, but it’s nice to see how far I’ve come.

I’ve had some great feedback on my blogs over the year, and there are a few I’m especially proud of, including my anti-Daily Mail rant, which got me the most views my column has ever received (ta Mel!), my blog on courage, my blog on Facebook and my interview with Alex Duffy are a few I’m particularly proud of. I’m particularly proud of us winning The Owlie for Best Media, which was lovely. Ta everyone.

I’d also like to quickly thank (I’m almost done - promise) Simon, for letting me sit in the bedroom alone for an hour every Tuesday to get my head around things, and for not being afraid to tell me my ideas are ridiculous. And, of course, I’d like to thank you all for reading it - whether this is the first time you’ve ever read my blog, or you’re a regular. You’re bloody great.

You can send flowers, chocolates and signed photo requests to martin.carter@gayleeds.com

(I’m joking of course, apart from the chocolate. Send them.)