A long-serving weekly editor is stepping down after 17 years in the role following a health scare.
Roger Green joined the Littlehampton Gazette in 1996 having previously been news editor at the Derbyshire Times.
He has now taken the decision to relinquish the editor’s role on health grounds although he hopes to return to the paper for a couple of days a week.
Roger’s 40-year career began at the then Staffordshire Evening Sentinel in 1973 and included stints at the Mercury Press Agency in Liverpool and the Bath Chronicle before he joined the Derbyshire Times in 1985.
Said Roger: “I had a health scare last year and the demands of the job these days are greater than ever, so it’s time to take things easier and do more of the things I want to do, especially with our first grandchild having arrived in April.”
“I’ve had a great career and worked with some wonderful people, covering stories such as the Winter of Discontent, the end of the 1984/5 miners’ strike, just as I arrived in Chesterfield, reporting on Liverpool and Everton matches while at Mercury Press and tracking down the Beast of Brassknocker Hill while working in Bath!
“Like most in my generation of journalists, I reckon we were privileged to be working in the golden age of newspapers, when stories could be given the in-depth treatment they deserved.
“I’ve also greatly enjoyed my time in Littlehampton, in a role I was told needed me to be fully involved in the community, something I took to heart. ”
During his time in Littlehampton he helped launch the town’s business partnership and business awards, lobbied the hovernment with an open letter on the front page supporting a bid for regeneration cash, and started up a church page and volunteer column.
His 28 years with the Gazette and the DT make him one of the longest-serving journalists in the Johnston Press group.
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Having previously worked with Roger, I’ve seen how he has maintained a commendable relationship with the Gazette’s readership and been a huge asset to Littlehampton and West Sussex. I wish him the very best for the future and I’m sure the area’s papers will still continue to hear plenty more from him in the years to come.
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A great news editor and I will always remember his shout of joy when the Derbyshire Times was named BT Midlands Weekly of the Year for the first time.
Roger had time for everyone and helped develop the careers of some talented trainees.
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A true local journalist – 100 per cent in touch with the local community. Very few left now.
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What was the ‘health scare’ ? My first editor would have thrown this story back at me if I didn’t find out.
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Fair point, subbed out.
My scare was blood clots, in a leg and lung. We may or may not suffer fools gladly, but it’s unwise to suffer clots. They came on while I was making my way to see Wiggo win the Tour last year and 48 hours later I was in a hospital bed.
Thanks for the kind comments, all the more appreciated for coming from journalists I respect.
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I am fortunate to have had the privilege of being shown the ropes by Roger as one of his long line of trainees.
His knowledge, tenacity and wit make him a formidable journalist, but he’s better known as a mild-mannered Ed who’s entrenched in the community.
The Gazette can never replace him but the respect he has garnered for the paper over the past 17 years stands it in good stead for the future.
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