AddThis SmartLayers

Wee dram marks editor's 40 years with company

An editor now believed to be the longest-serving in the UK has celebrated a landmark career milestone.

Drew Cochrane, who has been in the hot seat at the Largs and Millport Weekly News for 35 years, has just passed his 40th anniversary with the same company.

On 8 December 1969, Drew started his career with the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, in Ayrshire, and just under five years later became editor of the Largs and Millport Weekly News, both of which are owned by Clyde and Forth Press.

Drew, 57, received a 1969 Speyside malt whisky from management and staff at the Ayrshire Weekly Press group.

“I have lived through the various eras of the newspaper evolution, from linotype, hot metal, Olivettis, word processors to hard-drive and web editions,” he told HTFP.

“As an avowed community journalist who follows the philosophy of community content is king, I think local papers will continue to progress as their unique service cannot be duplicated or replaced.”

Drew is former chairman of both the Guild of Editors and Society of Editors in Scotland and two years ago received the Lifetime Achievement honour at the Scottish Press Awards.

The previous holder of the title ‘longest-serving editor in the UK’ was Jeremy Plews of the Mansfield Chad, who retired in Feburary after 36 years in the hot seat.

  • Are any journalists in your company celebrating landmark anniversaries? Please tell us about it by emailing [email protected].