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TV political reporter who began on regional dailies bows out

John HessA television political correspondent who began his career on two regional dailies has retired from journalism.

John Hess, pictured left, started out on the Coventry Evening Telegraph in 1974 and the Birmingham Evening Mail before moving to the BBC.

He spent 37 years there and served as the corporation’s political correspondent in the East Midlands for half that time.

John, who was awarded life membership by the Nottingham branch of the National Union of Journalists last year, delivered his final broadcast on Thursday.

In a farewell blog discussing his thoughts on politics, John wrote:  “All good things have to come to an end eventually. But after 37 years with the BBC – half of that as political editor for the East Midlands – I’ve decided it’s time to move on.”

He recalled some of the huge social aned economic change in the region during his career, such as the decline in the mining industry which once employed 40,000 people in Nottinghamshire coalfield.

Said John:  “The very fabric of parliament itself now faces an uncertain future because of enormous repair costs.

“But if parliament is to be fixed and remain relevant for the rest of the 21st Century, the voice of its radicals and rebels still needs to heard loud and clear.

“As for the East Midlands, industry has had a huge impact on our environment.

“That together with how the region has come to terms with massive economic change, has remained a constant theme… and will continue to be so.”

4 comments

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  • July 6, 2015 at 9:49 am
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    Oh dear, double error here.
    First the obvious one in the story itself, then the fact that when I tried to email HTFP editor through the discreet: “Spotted an error? Email the editor’ link, the link wasn’t working either!
    So, sorry to publicly name and shame but my quibble about the above story is this: “Doesn’t John deserve a surname?”

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  • July 6, 2015 at 9:51 am
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    Story has been amended. Thanks.
    Feel free to delete or not publish my previous post.

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