Guardian supporters around the world tell us how they first discovered the paper and what it has meant to them sinceCelebrate 200 years of independent Guardian journalism, and help power our future – make a contribution, or become a subscriber. I first began reading the Guardian when I was 15 or 16 in Coventry where I grew up. Throughout my time at college in Glasgow, the day began with a trip to the newsagent in the train station to pick up my copy of the Guardian for the morning and evening commute. In Cardiff during graduate studies, an hour in morning was spent with the Guardian in the university library (I was too cheap to buy my own copy!). When I moved to
Canada in 1987, I realised how awful the papers in North America were. Anyone who visits me from the
UK is instructed to bring back the Guardian, and especially the Saturday Guardian with all bits intact.It had been a challenge in Canada with only the Guardian weekly edition print version available by subscription. So when the online version was launched, it was a godsend. My mornings still start with the Guardian. The paper has been an integral part of my life for 45 years (but I still struggle with the Quick crossword).Balwantray Chauhan, 61, Nova Scotia, Canada