Each week I use this space to share my five thoughts – the good, the bad and the ugly.

But I’m not selfish, so I’m also very happy to donate the space to guest writers to have their say. Write to me via the contact details below.

1. I hope you all enjoyed a fantastic festive season. Here’s to a great new year in 2015. I passed on the same wishes to a fellow editor and this is how he replied: “Well, it won’t be, will it? There’s as much chance of it being a happy new year as there is of my non-league team winning the Champions League or you riding the Grand National winner.

“You know, and I know, that it will be a s*** new year – so why pretend?

Here’s wishing you a stressful, thoroughly miserable new year. Have a bad one.”

Oh dear, I have to assume it’s pretty grim up north.

2. I reminded him that there’s always someone worse off than you are. I mean, who would want to be starting 2015 as Prince Andrew or Ched Evans? Now there’s a couple of interesting discussions to be had in the new year.

3. I marked the birth of 2015 with a shave and I’d heartily recommend it. Being trendy, I grew a beard at the end of last year until my wife could stand it no longer. But a proper warm-towel shave at an old-fashioned barbers is an experience everyone should try at least once. It’s absolutely brilliant.

4. Guess what I received in the first post of the year. Five, yes five, offers of new credit cards offering nought per cent balance transfers. Sign of the times I suppose, but quite sad really.

5. And finally, in News Shopper’s 50th anniversary year, here’s to a brilliant 2015 for all our dedicated and loyal readers and advertisers, thank you.

Send in your 5THOUGHTS by email to aparkes@london.newsquest.co.uk, on Twitter to @parkestheeditor or through Facebook to facebook.com/newsshopper