Britain’s longest-serving local newspaper editor is set to take a trip Down Under after being presented with a retirement gift from colleagues yesterday.

As reported on HoldtheFrontPage, Jeremy Plews stood down this month as editor of the Mansfield Chad after 45 years on the paper and 36 years in the chair.

Jeremy has always said that when he retired he would like to visit his sister who lives in Australia.

Now that ambition is within reach after colleagues collected hundreds of pounds towards the cost of the flights, with the Chad’s parent company Johnston Press contributing a matching sum.

The gift was presented to Jeremy at a special celebration at Mansfield Civic Centre yesterday which featured local dignitaries, past and present Chad staff and senior JP executives.

Tributes were read out from a number of former colleagues including James Slack, who started his career at the Chad and is now home affairs editor of the Daily Mail.

Jeremy was also presented with a commemorative front page to remind him of his long years at the Chad plus copies of a special look back supplement published in this week’s paper.

And in recognition of Jeremy’s long-standing support for the charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind presented him with a photo of a dog they have named after him.

North Notts Newspapers managing director Dawn Sweeney said: “The Mansfield Chad and Johnston Press are very proud not only of Jeremy’s achievement in becoming the longest-serving editor in the UK regional press but also of the fine work he has achieved during his many years with the company.

“Along with his friends and colleagues past and present we are all united in sending our wishes to Jeremy for a long and very happy retirement.”

Comments

Jim Brennan (19/02/2009 09:56:17)
Bon voyage, Jeremy !

Martin Edmunds (19/02/2009 10:39:20)
It has been a pleasure to call Jeremy a friend and ex-colleague. I was very happy to put some of my JP redundo towards the trip for him and Sue