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Yorkshire weeklies get third editor in six months

A new editor has been appointed to lead two sister weekly newspapers in Yorkshire.

George Hinton, left, has taken up the role of editor at the Ilkley Gazette and the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer.

The previous editor, Dick Porter, stepped down due to ill health in January, a matter of months after taking over from long-serving predecessor Malcolm Hoddy last autumn.

George has now joined the Newsquest-owned titles from the role of group head of content for the Harrogate-based Ackrill Media Group, where he deputised for the editor-in-chief of the Harrogate Advertiser series.

After beginning his journalism career in London, George returned to his North Yorkshire roots to become a reporter at the Ripon Gazette.

He became a senior sub-editor at the Ackrill Media Group, part of Johnston Press, before becoming a group trainer with JP, training staff throughout the UK and Ireland.

George returned to Harrogate more than two years ago, where he helped convert the Harrogate Advertiser from broadsheet to tabloid.

In a story about his appointment, he said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking up the post of editor at the Ilkley Gazette and the Wharfedale & Aireborough Observer.

“They are great community newspapers with lots of history – clear to see in the big archive of papers and pictures dating back more than 150 years in the office.

“I hope to get to know many members of the community in the coming weeks and months and we’ll be looking to bring about some new developments to make our newspapers even better.”

Perry Austin-Clarke, Newsquest Bradford group editor, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to his new post.

“He has extensive experience in weekly newspapers and a strong background in journalism in North Yorkshire, in particular, and I’m sure he will do an excellent job in taking the Ilkley and Wharfedale titles forward into a new era.”