The editor of a weekly newspaper has celebrated 40 years in journalism at a special lunch with her team.

Anne Edwards, the editor of the Great Yarmouth Mercury, and five reporters were taken out for the celebration lunch to mark the milestone by Archant Norfolk MD Stephan Phillips.

She has been editor of the newspaper since 2002 when she moved from The Journal, Newcastle, where she was deputy editor.

Two years ago Anne was named as Archant Norfolk Employee of the Year in the annual company awards after being one of a small number of editors to preside over a circulation increase.

Said Anne: “I started my working life as a 17-year-old on a weekly newspaper in Melton Mowbray and I’m probably going to finish on a weekly newspaper.

“My heart is in weeklies where you can become more involved in a community and stand up for residents’ rights.

“But there are also the happier stories: the golden and diamond weddings and the inevitable cheque presentations! I still enjoy going in to work every day, well, nearly every day!”

Tim Williams, editor of the Evening News and Norfolk weekly titles, paid tribute to Anne’s time in the industry.

He said: “There is no better advertisement for local newspapers and their role in our communities than Anne.

“I have been proud to work alongside her, not just here at Archant, but also in the North East, and her enthusiasm and appetite for journalism is a lesson to all of us.

“As editor of the Yarmouth Mercury, Anne has made sure her team is at the very heart of the town. Under her leadership the Mercury is a vibrant, colourful newspaper with an understanding of its readers at the core of all it does.

“Given her energy and drive I wouldn’t bet against us celebrating another 40 years in 2050!”

Anne Edwards is pictured with Stephan Phillips, centre, and the Mercury reporting team.

Comments

dontyaluvit (07/07/2010 10:18:47)
great stuff Anne. some record.
editor? what’s that. not where I work.

John Knighton (07/07/2010 11:17:13)
Congratulations Anne. That’s a great record! Cheers

Paul Linford (07/07/2010 11:20:22)
As a Journal staffer during Anne’s time there, may I add my own congratulations.

sandy (07/07/2010 14:55:48)
Bloody well done Anne .. great to see that you’re going strong – you’re a great gal!

Ros (07/07/2010 18:10:30)
Congratulations Anne…what a girl! Where has all that time gone since the Melton days? You haven’t changed a bit.