A journalist who served her hometown newspaper for almost 44 years has retired.
Colleagues and contacts have paid tribute to Janis Blower, of the Shields Gazette, described as a “one-off” with a readership who “hang on her every word.”
Janis was presented with a bouquet and a bottle of champagne at a fond farewell in the Gazette offices in Beach Road on Tuesday.
She was described by her editor as a “true ambassador” for the paper and a “voice of authority” on the history of its patch.
Born and raised in South Shields, Janis, pictured left, first joined the Gazette in August 1971.
During her career she was also active in the Shields and District branch of the National Union of Journalists.
Tom Fennelly, honorary secretary of South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, of which Janis is president, has known the Gazette writer all her working life.
He worked with Janis on the paper before later became the press and promotions officer with South Tyneside Council
Said Tom: “Janis has had an immense career in journalism and is extremely popular with and much-loved by local residents and now, via the web, by people in every part of the world.
“She has made a great contribution to our interpretation and understanding of local history.
“Janis has absolutely made the Cookson Country page her own hallmark, and whoever follows her has mighty footsteps to fill.
“She’s a great lass and thoroughly deserves a long and happy retirement.”
Councillor Alan Kerr, deputy leader of South Tyneside Council, added Janis is “a passionate ambassador” for the area who helped to bring the borough’s past to life with her engaging writing skills and impressive knowledge of local history.
Joy Yates, editorial director of Johnston Press North East, said: “Janis has been a true ambassador for the Shields Gazette and is respected and well regarded by the community as a voice of authority on the history of South Tyneside.
“She will be missed by her loyal readers as well as her colleagues. We wish her a long and happy retirement.”
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Janis is a lovely lady, incredibly good at her job. The Gazette has lost its last link with South Shields.
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Janis was a great writer and a great all-round person. I remember when I joined the Shields Gazette 11 years ago that Janis was a great writer and a great all-round person. She was always on hand for any advice and she was certainly a well respected colleague. Enjoy your retirement years, Janis, you certainly deserve a rest from the pressures of journalism.
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I remember working with Janice in South Shields. All best wishes to her!
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Dedication, devotion, trust, ambassador. All the things that bring a real passion to local newspapers. Sounds like a classy woman of distinction.
It’s people like Janis who should be getting honours from The Queen for their service to the community.
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How many young journos now working will be talked about in these glowing terms when they retire. Their jobs become more remote, cold and impersonal by the week as they load click-bait and re-hash (sometimes) press releases. This lucky lady had the best of the press years. It is just the fag ends now.
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