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Where are they now? Don Mildenhall

Former Western Gazette editor Don Mildenhall may have retired in 1991, but he hasn’t been ‘taking it easy’.

Since then Don has become involved in local government and has also been passing on his journalism skills to people in third world countries and poorer parts of Europe as a volunteer for the charity British Executive Service Overseas.

Now 76, Don spent 50 years – his entire working life – at the Western Gazette, starting as a trainee reporter.

For 30 years he was the paper’s district reporter for Sherborne and North Dorset, and in 1978 was appointed deputy editor of the Gazette and editor of its sister paper, the Pulman’s Weekly News.

For the last eight years of his career he edited the Western Gazette, and he also served as president of the Guild of British Newspaper Editors in 1989/90.

He was awarded the MBE for his services to journalism in 1991.

“On my retirement I was invited to become a volunteer for BESO,” said Don.

“Since then I have undertaken five assignments helping to set up newspapers in Tanzania, Borneo and the Ukraine.”

Don’s first trip was to Tanzania, where he helped the proprietor launch The Express – an independent weekly newspaper free of Government control.

Later, he was invited to return for a second eight-week spell of duty there to help transform the successful newspaper into a bi-weekly publication, in readiness for it eventually becoming a daily.

Another assignment was to the Borneo Post, the English-language newspaper circulating in Sarawak and Sabah. Don undertook two BESO assignments there, helping train the 90 journalists based at five printing centres at various strategic points throughout the country.

His fifth assignment was to help Dilo, a financial paper newly launched in the Ukraine. Don was based at its offices in Lvov and his principal task was to compile a business plan so that the co-operative running and producing the paper could seek financial support from various international agencies.

Don has also been keeping himself busy at home and has maintained his link with the Western Gazette, providing news and pictures for an eight-page free insert for its Sherborne edition every week.

He has also entered local government and has been a member of West Dorset District Council for 12 years and is currently chairman of its environment committee.

He has also served Dorset County Council representing Sherborne for the past six years and is now chairman of Dorset County Council’s education committee.

But his voluntary work started long before his retirement, and he has been a member of the Rotary Club of Sherborne since 1953.

He has also been heavily involved with his local Lions club, and although he is not a member, he has reported on their activities for a number of years and has recently received an award in recognititon of his contribution.

A Lions International plaque as a “testimonial of sincere appreciation” from Sherborne Lions was presented to him earlier this month during the club’s 27th Annual Charter Anniversary Dinner.

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