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Weekly editor celebrates 40 years at newspaper

Terry Mitchinson1A weekly editor has marked his 40th anniversary of working for the same newspaper.

Terry Mitchinson, pictured left, has worked for the Welwyn Hatfield Times since 1975, when he began his journalism career as a junior reporter.

He rose through the ranks, holding most of the roles in the newsroom, before becoming editor 21 years ago and has remained in the position ever since.

Terry celebrated his 40th anniversary at the Archant-owned title with a surprise party organised by former editor Robert Richardson, who gave Terry his first job there.

Robert gathered together some of the people who were working for the title four decades ago and invited them to a gathering at a pub in Welwyn with Terry.

In a story about his anniversary, Terry said: “It was a really lovely thing for Robert to have done. He gave me my first job in the business, little did I know I’d still be working on the paper 40 years later. It was great to see some of the old faces again and I thank them for coming along.”

During his time at the weekly, Terry was launch editor for two now-defunct newspapers, the Comet Weekender and the Leader series, and helped launched Archant’s Hertfordshire Life magazine.

The paper was one of the first newsrooms to trial Archant’s content management system, which has now been rolled out across the group, and Terry said he had seen many changes in the industry during his time there.

Terry said: “When I first started, we were still printing using hot metal. The change gets faster and faster. When you look now at the way we use technology and social media, that is a huge challenge for us.

“The challenges we face are awesome and are quite exciting because it’s working to make sure we produce products that people want to read on the platform they want to read it on.

“I still get a buzz out of it, that is the key thing. We are still involved in the campaigning that we do.

“Local papers are all about being at the forefront, about campaigning for the issues that matter for people in those areas. We will continue to do that.”

He said one of his key highlights at the paper had been working with TV presenter Bob Wilson and his wife Megs to set up the Willow Foundation in memory of their daughter Anna who died from cancer aged 31.

Said Terry: “I don’t think too many papers can say they helped to launch a charity which is now national.”

During his time at the paper, he has carried out a number of charity challenges, including being “locked up” as part of a fundraising stunt for Isabel Hospice.

Terry Mitchinson, centre, celebrates his 40th anniversary at the Welwyn Hatfield Times with staff from 40 years ago.

Terry Mitchinson, centre, celebrates his 40th anniversary at the Welwyn Hatfield Times with staff from 40 years ago.

6 comments

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  • October 15, 2015 at 9:38 am
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    A good guy. It’s sad to think he’s among the last of a dying breed.

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  • October 15, 2015 at 10:15 am
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    Kendo, not a really kind thing to say to Terry – can’t you just wish him all the best?

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  • October 15, 2015 at 11:55 am
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    Congratulations Terry. You are a credit to the profession.

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  • October 15, 2015 at 12:25 pm
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    Well done Terry, a great effort. Only six more years to beat my length of service on the Luton News, which I left in April.

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  • October 15, 2015 at 5:41 pm
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    Congrats Terry, all the best, great achievement.

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