The editor of a Midlands weekly has penned a personal farewell to his readers after finishing his final edition this week.

Tim Hewitt spent almost nine years in charge at Northcliffe’s Lichfield Mercury, working for the paper for 21 years in total.

He has left the paper as part of shake-up involving the centralisation of subbing to the company’s office in Stoke, home to regional daily The Sentinel.

The plans affect all papers in Northcliffe’s Central Independent Newspapers division whose titles include the Tamworth Herald, Sutton Coldfield Observer and Walsall Advertiser.

Tim’s letter said: “I would very much like to thank the people of Lichfield, Rugeley and Burntwood and all the relevant local authorities and organisations for their co-operation and kindness shown to me.

“I hope that I have always endeavoured to serve the paper’s loyal readership well with news, information and a modicum of entertainment, without prejudice or favour, and am gratified to have played a small part in such great communities over the years.

“Following my departure, I hope and trust that you will continue to support and show the same thoughtfulness and esteem for the small number of remaining Mercury staff who will in turn continue to show professionalism, enthusiasm and compassion in endeavouring to do the job they do best.

“I wish them, and all the Mercury’s readers, correspondents and advertisers, all the very best for the future.”

Tim was one of three CIN editors to lose their jobs in the shake-up along with Natalie Missenden of the Walsall Advertiser and Great Barr Observer and Charlotte Hart of the Sutton Coldfield Observer.

Comments

Chopper (ex Lich Merc & CIN) (02/04/2009 09:22:30)
Good luck to you Tim…Another sound and dedicated newspaper man bites the dust….The days of local knowledge and being a part of the community appear to be qualities the big groups no longer require…

Woody Stayorgo (02/04/2009 10:06:49)
“At the heart of all things local”?? Ripping out the heart of all things local more like. As Chopper says, yet another loyal, dedicated member of staff with a wealth of local knowledge, contacts and respect is cast out in the name of “protecting the business”. Madness.

Fearful for future (02/04/2009 10:46:07)
At least Tim Hewitt was allowed to say farewell to his leaders. Staff in many (if not all) Newsquest papers were not even allowed to tell the public that their often long-serving editors had gone. As one of the departed, I am still receiving messages and emails months later from people saying “Just heard that you have left, and I am shocked…”. In addition, letters sent to the weekly thanking her for her efforts over the years were banned from publication. That’s what I call gratitude – not!

Fearful for future (02/04/2009 10:55:03)
Oops! Is there a sub left in the house? This is what I meant to say:
At least Tim Hewitt was allowed to say farewell to his readers. Staff in many (if not all) Newsquest papers were not even allowed to tell the public that their often long-serving editors had gone. As one of the departed, I am still receiving messages and emails months later from people saying “Just heard that you have left, and I am shocked…”. In addition, letters sent to the weekly thanking me for my efforts over the years were banned from publication. That’s what I call gratitude – not!

SteveZacharanda (02/04/2009 11:20:04)
Tim was my first editor and he had an absolute immense knowledge of his patch and like a lot of the old guard he cared.
Many a wonky intro of mine was made more punchy by Mr Hewitt and he had a true editor’s black humour that was as dry as a bone.
All that knowledge and experience walking out the door is bound to have an effect but good luck to the guys at the Mercury!

Paul Kelly (03/04/2009 14:04:22)
I worked with Tim when the Lichfield Mercury was a family owned paper and based in Bird Street in a wonderful old townhouse.
I started my career there 14 years ago and still remember Tim’s kindness and encouragement.
Many of us, of course, also remember Tim’s devilish wit.
Sorry to see you go, lad.