AddThis SmartLayers

Royal visit to mark 150th anniversary of newspapers

Three weekly newspapers in the West Country were given a Royal visit by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, to mark their 150th anniversaries.

The Devon-based Totnes Times, the Wellington Weekly News and West Somerset Free Press were all launched in 1860 and are part of the Tindle Newspaper Group.

Staff from the newspapers travelled last week to a special celebratory lunch in a marquee at the Royal Bath and West Show and the Countess, who is president of the show society, met each member of staff personally.

She also presented watches to eight employees and unveiled three plaques commemorating the anniversaries.

The Countess was welcomed by Sir Ray Tindle, owner of the newspaper group, who praised management and staff, while she in turn congratulated the papers for being part of the fabric of their communities.

  • The Countess, second left, is pictured with Sir Ray Tindle, group managing director Brian Doel and Wendy Craig, director and assistant to Sir Ray.
  • Comments

    Onlooker (08/06/2010 08:52:03)
    Always liked Sir Ray. Never could stand Doel. But the company has a pretty good record of looking after its journalists compared to other groups.